Massachusetts Lawmakers: Prioritize Period Poverty in the Pandemic Recovery Plan
As we begin the 192nd Legislative Session - we know we cannot go back to business as usual. The pandemic has reminded us how essential toilet paper and toiletries are - and as we know, menstrual products too. With homelessness and food insecurity on the rise, so is period poverty. Homeless shelters should not need to leave the health and wellbeing of homeless menstruators to the whims of charity. Massachusetts has the opportunity to change that.
This year, as the State is preparing it's priorities for the state budget - we demand that the feminization of poverty is not ignored. Periods do not stop during pandemics.
No one should have to choose between food, a roof over their head, their education, and access to menstrual products and yet every day in Massachusetts, menstruators are forced to make exactly that choice.
Legislators are deciding their priorities now, and we need them to both co-sponsor andchampion HD651: An Act Relative to Increase Access to Disposable Menstrual Products in Prisons, Homeless Shelters and Public Schools (I AM bill) in the 193rd legislative session and not relegate period poverty invisible anymore.
We have models of best practices for implementation in schools, shelters & prisons right here in Massachusetts, and if passed the ‘I AM bill’ would ensure this right statewide. Please share this action alert on social media on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter&LinkedIn.
.png)