Only four states require public schools to provide free and available menstrual hygiene products (pads and tampons) in restrooms. Menstruators (anyone who gets a period), who can’t afford/forget menstrual hygiene products face humiliation and may not go to school. A student would miss 189 days if they did not go to school with their period from sixth through twelfth grade. Even missing a few days of school can lead to performance gaps intensified by poverty and racism. 

13 of 50 states require correctional facilities to provide products to incarcerated menstruators. Of 200,000 incarcerated women and girls in 2016, some were given these necessities after begging, while others didn’t receive them at all and were forced to use toilet paper or bleed through jumpsuits (often washed only once a week). In some places, they are withheld as a threat and given only as a reward.

Only one state provides menstrual hygiene products in shelters. People without stable housing are likely to not be able to afford menstrual hygiene products elsewhere. Some shelters that do provide menstrual hygiene products only provide them to women (excluding transgender and non-binary menstruators) or only at certain times (when showers and other facilities are open), a significant problem when a menstruator gets there period unexpectedly.

In public schools, I propose that 3 no-cost dispensers should be installed in each middle or high school owned by the government/that receives government funds, and at least one should be in a unisex or men’s restroom. 1 no-cost dispenser should be installed in each elementary school owned by the government/that receives government funds. These dispensers should be refilled (at least) weekly.

At least 15 tampons and 4 maxi/overnight pads should be given to each incarcerated menstruator each month, and these products should not be withheld or used as bargaining tools.

At least 3 no-cost dispensers should be installed in each shelter owned by the government/that receives government funds, and at least one should be in a unisex or men’s restroom. These dispensers should be refilled twice a week. 

At least 2 no-cost dispensers should be installed in all other buildings that are owned by the government/receive government funds. These dispensers should be refilled at least once a week.