The statistics are bloody shocking. Nearly two-thirds of low income girls and women cannot afford menstrual products. Not having access to these products is leading to missed days at school and work and even health consequences.

Last month, as part of an effort to right these wrongs, a group of  nonprofits, trade associations and advocacy organizations formed the National Coalition to End Period Poverty. This coalition aims to dismantle barriers that prevent access to affordable menstrual care products, promoting menstrual equity for all and, hopefully, ending period poverty.

Calling menstrual equity an issue of basic human rights, the members will work on increasing access to affordable menstrual products, encouraging period-friendly bathrooms, raising public awareness about menstrual health and advocating for national policies like providing free products in schools, prisons, shelters and public facilities.

The coalition is not alone in this battle. In recent years, legislative efforts across the globe have begun requiring public bathrooms to be equipped with feminine care products and at least 20 states already require free period care in schools.

Coalition efforts to expand the reach of these products continue to be aided by the makers of these products. Last month, Kimberly-Clark, one of the biggest names in menstrual care, announced its Kotex and Thinx brands would team up with Walgreens to donate products to the Alliance for Period Supplies, a program of the National Diaper Bank Network, which works with more than 125 independent nonprofit member organizations to distribute period products through schools, youth camps, shelters, and other community organizations around the country to help those who need them most.

In April, Egal Pads, the maker of a menstrual pad on a roll designed for public bathrooms, received an Innovation Award at the Women’s Health Innovation Summit in Basel, Switzerland, reaffirming how important period product access is to female health initiatives on a global level.

In accepting the award, CEO Penelope Finnie told the crowd, “Periods are another bodily function, and we believe everyone should have access to the products they need to maintain their health and well-being. Finally period equity is beginning to get the attention it deserves, and we’re thrilled to help make that a reality in schools, cities, airports, corporate and government buildings in the U.S. and around the globe.”

Surely, these efforts will continue.

Karen McIntyre
Editor
[email protected]