What if you or your daughter couldn’t afford period products?
In Westchester County, that is a concern for far too many women and girls. One of our favorite local nonprofits, 914Cares, distributes items like tampons, liners, and overnight pads to an average of 2,300 menstruators per month. Last year, the organization distributed nearly half a million period products to females in need, who may otherwise miss school or work. One in three menstruators in the U.S. regularly struggle with not having access to such essentials.
Though New York does not tax period products (learn more about which states do at Alliance for Period Supplies), at an average monthly cost of $15-20, their cost can still be prohibitive for the 1 in 4 Westchester families that live in poverty. New York law requires all public elementary and secondary schools serving students in grades 6 through 12 to provide free period products. Yet, no state funding is available to schools to purchase these items, and the requirements for how exactly the products should be provided remain unclear. So, menstruators may continue to go without.
But, moms, we can make a difference.
First, we can and should normalize conversations about periods, puberty, and women’s health. In my family, we talk about menstruation, menopause, and everything in between the same way we talk about getting taller or baby teeth falling out as natural parts of human development. Talking about these topics is a way to normalize them and remove the shame that may still surround them.
And then, we must keep talking. May 12-18 is Period Poverty Awareness Week, an opportunity to highlight how the inability to access period supplies can lead to negative impacts. We can raise awareness at any time in addition to funds or supplies. My community in Scarsdale had a period product drive last month, and it was a huge success, with volunteer product kit-makers of all ages proud to help!
Periods are normal. The inability to talk openly about them or afford related healthcare essentials shouldn’t be.
