Menstrual Equity: Research and Action

"To me, it's a no-brainer. Humans need toilet paper. Public restrooms supply toilet paper. This is no different. Lack of access to these products can lead to compromised hygiene, embarrassment due to stigma, even missed days of work or school," Collett said. "Lack of public access is especially punitive to those living in poverty. Menstrual products are not covered by programs like SNAP or WIC."

Sen. Maria Collett, D-Montgomery, introduced a bill that would ensure that menstrual products are made available at public bathroom facilities. Menstrual Equity Action in Pennsylvania Oct. 7, 2019 Capitol Report (more legal news and action)

NPR's Michel Martin speaks with Jennifer Weiss-Wolf of Period Equity about where the U.S. stands on providing free menstruation products nationally and how the pandemic has affected access to them.

Additional Resources from the WVU Women's Resource Center               

• Freebie Products
• Period/Menstrual Resources

Prioritize Periods seeks to increase and improve access to free and quality period products for all West Virginians through community organizing, partnerships, and legislation. We believe that every West Virginian deserves access to period products regardless of age, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation, or income. Prioritize Periods also works to remove gender and hygiene-based stigmas around periods and the people who have them. The Morgantown Menstrual Equity Coalition seeks to reflect these goals and values, as well as work with organizations, departments, and community groups to bridge campus life and the Morgantown community around the issue of menstrual equity. For more information email prioritizeperiods@ppsat.org or visit Planned Parenthood South Atlantic.

I pay for my period products, why shouldn't everyone?

According to a research report in Obstetrics & Gynecology, more than one in five women in a major U.S. city couldn’t afford menstrual hygiene products.

• Women Forced to Choose Between Food and Menstrual Products
• Even in the U.S., poor women often can't afford tampons, pads

How can I help?

Contribute to the menstrual product drive: drop off donations at the Downtown, Evansdale, or Health Sciences library.

To donate funds for products, please reach out to Sally Brown, WVU Libraries Events and Exhibits Coordinator, at sally.brown@mail.wvu.edu.