In light of Menstrual Hygiene Day on May 28th, it’s about time we address the -elephant- period in the room: period poverty. Period poverty is the phenomenon of being unable to afford menstrual hygiene products such as pads, tampons, menstrual cups or liners to manage women’s menstruation. On average, 1 in 4 women in their menstruating years suffer from period poverty. As if having a period isn’t stigmatized enough, layering on the financial burden of purchasing products to bleed with dignity means that even menstruation isn’t equal.

With more than 800 million women and girls menstruating daily, this problem isn’t reserved for the most extreme of cases or situations. It affects women in every part of the world, especially young girls in schools who are often bullied at the slightest notion they might be menstruating. While the global community has begun to see some traction, such as Scotland becoming the first country pledging to end period poverty there is so much more work to do.

Together, INTIMINA and I Support The Girls are calling on Congresswoman Grace Meng, a fierce leader for women’s rights, to sponsor a bill that demands free menstrual hygiene products for women and girls in schools across the country. It’s time for change and expanded opportunities for women of all backgrounds to be able to menstruate equally and we’ll look to Congresswoman Meng to lead us to that freedom.