For many low-income families, sanitary products are an added expense they simply cannot afford.
Young girls are often reluctant to ask their families to purchase tampons or pads because they are aware of the financial strain it will put on their parents or guardians. New York City schools are trying to do something about that.
Twenty-five public schools in Queens and the Bronx will start providing complimentary sanitary products to young women.
This is excellent news considering a staggering 79 percent of New York public school students come from low-income families. This trial program will ideally assist over 11,000 students in need of menstrual products.
Programs such as this will help to raise awareness in the low-income community about necessities for women who are often overlooked, much like this program for homeless women to help them navigate female issues.
Let us know what you think of this awareness program for young women down in the comments!
[H/T: Huffington Post]
This New York City program will help prevent health issues associated with a lack of menstrual products and reduce the stigma around periods for low-income communities.
Councilwoman Julissa Ferreras-Copeland came up with the idea for the program. She said, "No young woman should face losing class time because she is too embarrassed to ask for, can't afford, or simply cannot access feminine hygiene products.
"Providing young women with pads and tampons in schools will help them stay focused on their learning and sends a message about value and respect for their bodies.”
Many young girls in low-income communities are aware of the financial burden menstrual products place on their families. This makes them reluctant to ask for the products they desperately need.
Many young women will only use one pad for the whole day or even skip school during their periods. One of the many goals of this program is to keep students in school and prevent them from skipping.
It is estimated that over the course of a woman's life, she will spend approximately $18,000 on tampons, pads, and pain medications associated with her periods.
Many women believe the high price tags on menstrual products are a violation of human rights.
Organizers of the Free the Tampons campaign argue that tampons are a necessity and therefore shouldn't be taxed, or should even be given out for free in women's restrooms.
"Tampons and pads should be treated just like toilet paper," said Nancy Kramer, the founder of the Free the Tampons campaign. "They serve the same purpose — items to tend to our everyday, normal bodily functions."
The newly implemented programs in New York City schools and campaigns like Free the Tampons are imperative in spreading awareness.
"Over two-thirds of the girls studying in standard 8 and 9 skipped school during their periods," said George Jessunesan, headmaster of a girl's high school in southern India. "This hampered their studies and eventually one-third of these girls would drop out."
This is an alarming statistic and could easily happen in the United States, if the way we look at menstrual product pricing and availability doesn't change.
Every woman, at any income level, deserves to feel comfortable enough to go to school every day. And thanks to programs like this one in New York City, something is finally being done about it.
What do you think of this New York City program? Let us know in the comments.
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