The lack of sanitary products in OUSD is important, as this is a topic that affects hundreds of staff and students. 

A 2021 study conducted by the University of Pennsylvania found that 80% of female students have missed all or part of a class or know someone who had to miss class because they did not have access to menstrual hygiene products. 

Young women across the country deserve to attend school without fear or shame about how menstruation might impact their education and health. 
Policymakers at the state and federal levels should work to ensure that there are free or affordable menstrual products available in all public school bathrooms so that our most vulnerable female students can go about their school day without interruptions or social stigma.

Without constant, reliable access to menstrual products at school, students are forced to ask the school nurse or their friends, who might only have a limited supply of products. Some prefer to skip classes entirely because of the discomfort of not having access to these products. All of these disruptions can lead to learning loss and educational barriers for female students.