California State Assemblywoman Jenna Thompson was inspired by Scotland’s recent declaration that access to menstrual products is a human right. The Scottish Parliament unanimously passed a bill ensuring free period products in schools and publicly funded institutions. Following this lead, Thompson is revamping her previous legislation from 2017, which mandated low-income schools to provide free menstrual products, aiming to extend this initiative to all public schools in California.
The state will continue to be free from what is often referred to as the “tampon tax” until 2023. Starting in the 2022-2023 academic year, all students in grades 6-12, along with those at California State University, University of California campuses, and community colleges, will have access to complimentary menstrual products. Currently, no formal opposition has been registered against this initiative. Other states, including Virginia, New Hampshire, Illinois, New York, and Oregon, have also enacted similar laws to provide free period products for students. This is a necessary step as the financial burden of menstruation can be taxing, unpredictable, and significantly affect daily life.
Despite 27 states still applying taxes to menstrual products, treating them as “luxury” items, many argue this perspective is misguided. Not being able to manage one’s period should never be categorized as a luxury. If we apply a tax on menstrual products, we should consider doing the same for other health-related items, such as erectile dysfunction treatments, which do not impede one’s ability to work or meet basic needs. Thompson emphasized that individuals assigned female at birth spend approximately $20 million annually on menstrual products.
On average, menstruators will spend around 2,535 days of their lives managing their periods. For those facing financial hardships, the cost of menstrual products can be prohibitive, creating a situation known as period poverty—an issue affecting around 500 million people worldwide. This is not just a global concern; research from Obstetrics & Gynecology in 2019 revealed that two-thirds of low-income women in St. Louis could not afford menstrual supplies at least once in the past year, with 20% facing this issue monthly. A study by Thinx found that one in five teenagers struggle to afford menstrual products.
According to the organization Free The Tampon, 86% of menstruators have unexpectedly started their periods without supplies, leading to 79% attempting to improvise menstrual products from toilet paper. The emotional toll of lacking access to menstrual products in public spaces is significant, as 53% have sought help from others while 32% hurried home to retrieve necessary items. If basic hygiene products like toilet paper and soap are provided for free, menstrual products should be available as well.
Imagine the discomfort of being caught in a public restroom without toilet paper—would you use your clothing? Would you leave the restroom without cleaning yourself? The anxiety associated with managing menstruation in public spaces can be overwhelming. Many people mistakenly view this as a “women’s issue,” but it is essential to recognize that menstruation affects all genders, including nonbinary individuals and transgender men. Access to menstrual products can help reduce stigma and promote inclusivity.
Kudos to California and Assemblywoman Thompson for striving to make menstrual products accessible to all, ensuring they are not classified as luxury items. The time has come for every state in the U.S. to follow suit.
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Summary:
California is poised to require free menstrual products in public schools, inspired by similar initiatives in Scotland. This move aims to alleviate the financial burden of menstruation, particularly for those in low-income situations, and address the widespread issue of period poverty. The legislation could serve as a model for other states, emphasizing that menstruation is a health necessity, not a luxury.