The Push for Free Period Products at School

Period shaming and period poverty are no secret. For many years, students have been facing many issues dealing with not having access to period products. Often skipping class, creating makeshift pads or tampons out of toilet paper, or getting supplies from teachers who paid for the products out of their own pockets. Why should our school provide free period products? Well, it’s simple. It would be a huge step forward in cutting out the stigma of periods, be easier for young women lacking access to supplies if their period arrives unexpectedly, and provide access for young women who are unable to afford period products at all.

The issue of period poverty is shrouded in stigma. Although period poverty is a global public health crisis, the shame surrounding menstruation means that it goes largely unaddressed. Many cultures see menstruation as dirty and something that people should hide. I think the “shame” associated with periods prevents people from talking about them. This leads to a lack of dialogue regarding access to menstruation products in a place like a school. A lack of access to period products where teens are the majority of their day contributes to the increased stigma around menstruation. Normalizing conversations about periods is the first step in my opinion. Being able to talk and be open about something SO normal is crucial to reducing shame and stigma and offering effective solutions.

In addition to the many stigmas that follow menstruation, many women don’t have any supplies at all when in school. Often resulting in using thin uncomfortable toilet paper or wasting time out of class to go get products from the nurse (if there is one). But what is so wrong with these products being easily accessible for young teens, simply in the bathroom? Nothing! Not having period products at all while in school is a stressful situation. Texting a friend to come to find you, bleeding through your clothes, it doesn’t end. Period products are simply necessities, no girl wants to be embarrassed in the span of a school day having an unexpected accident. If soap and paper towels are made available in bathrooms, so should feminine hygiene products; it’s as simple as that. Having period products available in the bathroom just makes young girls’ lives at school easier. 

Last but not least, there is a good amount of people who cannot afford period products at all. According to globalcitizen.org, some teens can miss anywhere from 10-20% of school days from not being able to access the right menstrual products. In my opinion, schools should be doing everything to make it easy and inclusive for everyone to be comfortable in school and to even be able to go to school in general. One in three parents is concerned about their ability to continue to afford menstrual products, according to Always. This can take a significant toll on their education. I think it makes the utmost difference if our school, community, and peers are able to provide period products in each bathroom every few weeks. It’s enough to make a major difference in teens’ ability to come to school and have a proper education and attendance. For most, it’s not an easy time of the month especially if you don’t have the means to go about your daily routine with no products to do so. 

All and all, periods are normal. The stigma that surrounds such a natural thing is something that needs to end. It’s exhausting and frustrating when period products are not available where most of us spend our time. It would be a huge step forward in cutting out the stigma of periods, be easier for young women lacking access to supplies, and provide access for young women who are unable to afford period products at all if we had free period products at school.