These six young period activists take on school administrators and state legislators in their fight for menstrual equality. Here are some lessons they’ve learned in the field.
Menstruation and Menstrual Equity
Education, Discrimination and Menstruation
A lawsuit was filed on behalf of an eleven-year-old with Down syndrome that challenges her expulsion from a federally-funded afterschool program in Austin, Texas. Why? Because she began to menstruate.
The young girl’s lawsuit—and her demand that menstruation be considered under Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972—has the potential to break new ground.
Raising the Bar for Menstrual Equity. Period.
This year’s law school bar examination, in particular, is high stress and high stakes. Nearly 3,000 lawyers, law professors and recent graduates are demanding a clear, consistent statement that authorizes people to carry and use their own menstrual products while taking the bar exam in every state.
‘Period Futures’ Sparks Curiosity and Conversation Around Future of Periods
Through a brand-new website, the team behind #PeriodFutures decided to take action in the hopes of tackling the many challenges that riddle the menstrual health industry—from access, affordability and sustainability, to education and stigma.
Queens Teens Get School Meal Hubs to Pass Out Period Products
Two determined Astoria high school juniors have convinced the New York Department of Education to distribute menstrual products at school food-distribution sites during the coronavirus crisis.
The Ms. Q&A: Madame Gandhi on Creativity and Feminism—During COVID and Beyond
“Unfortunately, we are in a world that takes so much offense to being feminine, that we try not to be. … We are constantly aspiring to masculine standards, instead of being brave enough to see what it is that femininity brings to the table.”
By 2019, Gandhi had released two EPs as Madame Gandhi, opened for Ani Difranco, toured with Thievery Corporation, played Bonnaroo and numerous other festivals, and been named one of Forbes’ 30 Under 30 in music for 2019.
Hate Getting Your Period? Skip It.
In addition to toilet paper, hand sanitizer and antibacterial wipes, COVID-19 panic purchasing is causing a shortage of pads and tampons. Faced with a shortage of options, here’s an option: Stop your period.
Protect Women on the Front Lines of COVID
With schools, clinics and whole communities shuttered, our programs improving women’s and adolescent health, increasing access to girls’ education and empowerment, and preventing violence against women and girls, too, have largely been forced to pause. What does this mean, when working with populations even more fragile than our own?
COVID-19 Policy Takes Steps to Advance Gender Equity—But These Are Only a Start
The national policy response has featured a handful of provisions that aim to advance gender and economic equity, both federally and in some states. Good news? Sort of.
Schools Implement “Pink Box Project” to Make Menstrual Products Available Despite Closures
With social distancing measures in mind, a California chapter of Girls Learn International acknowledged students’ fears of leaving home to get the products that they needed—and decided to create kits that are pre-packaged, individually wrapped and include five tampons and five pads per box.