About This Initiative:
What began as a community petition in November 2025 has evolved into the San Francisco Menstrual Equity Initiative (SFMEI), a structured effort to launch a citywide pilot program providing free and sustainable menstrual products in public facilities, including libraries, transit hubs, and municipal buildings.

The Initiative now includes:

• A proposed 6–12 month pilot program
• A coalition-building strategy with local organizations
• A cost and sustainability framework
• A public health data collection plan

This petition serves as the official record of community support for advancing the pilot and eventual citywide implementation.

Our society often overlooks the everyday barriers faced by those who menstruate, yet period poverty remains a persistent public health issue, even in San Francisco. I have witnessed firsthand how individuals feel ashamed, stressed, or forced to miss school, work, or daily responsibilities because they could not access a basic health necessity: menstrual products.

We do not charge for toilet paper or soap in public restrooms because we recognize them as essential. Menstrual products are no different.

Research indicates that approximately 1 in 10 menstruating individuals struggle to afford the products they need. In a city that prides itself on equity, dignity, and public health leadership, access to menstrual products in public facilities should reflect those values.

The San Francisco Menstrual Equity Initiative calls for the implementation of free, sustainable menstrual products in public restrooms across libraries, transit hubs, and municipal buildings, beginning with a structured pilot program to assess cost, usage, maintenance, and long-term feasibility.

This is not a symbolic gesture. It is a practical, evidence-informed public health measure that reduces stigma, supports working families, and strengthens community access to essential resources.

By supporting this petition, you are helping advance a sustainable and data-driven initiative that prioritizes dignity, equity, and long-term implementation, not just awareness.

Together, we can ensure that no one in San Francisco is denied participation in daily life due to lack of access to basic menstrual care.

What Happens Next?
The San Francisco Menstrual Equity Initiative is currently:

• Building partnerships with local organizations
• Engaging public institutions for pilot implementation
• Expanding community support

Your signature helps demonstrate that San Francisco residents support sustainable, equitable menstrual access across public facilities.