Casten, Meng Introduce Bill to Expand Access to Menstrual Products
Washington, D.C. (July 6th, 2023) - Today, Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) and Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06) introduced the Period PROUD (Providing Resources to Our Underserved and Disadvantaged) Act of 2023 to expand accessibility to menstrual products for those with limited access.
Menstrual products are often considered a luxury, with the cost averaging $20 per month and forcing many women to make difficult decisions such as choosing between sanitary pads or food. The Period PROUD Act would provide funding through the Social Services Block Grant program to remove cost barriers to menstrual products and educate school officials on how to best communicate with students in need of these products.
“No one should be forced to choose between paying their bills or buying menstrual products,” said Congressman Casten. “The Period PROUD Act removes the cost-barrier for the 22 million women living in poverty and ensures they have the menstrual products they need to go to school or to work. Menstruation is a natural process and the products it requires should be freely accessible.”
"Since my earliest days in Congress, I have been a proud champion of working to combat period poverty," said Congresswoman Meng. "Legislation like the Period PROUD Act and my Menstrual Equity for All Act ensures women, girls, and people who menstruate have safe and affordable access to menstrual products. Thank you to my colleague, Congressman Casten, for his partnership in fighting to remove cost-barriers to menstrual products for the roughly 22 million women living in poverty."
"Period products should be as free and easily accessible as toilet paper," said Katie Astrich, Director of Public Policy for Girls Inc.
“I Support the Girls (ISTG) has been working for 8 years to provide menstrual products to those in need. Dignity is paramount for everyone and the Period PROUD bill is directly in line with our mission. ISTG believes that this bill by providing access to menstrual products will help those experiencing poverty improve access to work, school, and overall participation in society at large. Access to period products creates equity in education and the workforce. ISTG is thrilled to see period poverty being addressed on a federal level, as well as the normalizing of conversations and education around periods. The monthly cost of period products, while nominal to many, is meaningful to families who could use that money for a meal,” said Dana Marlowe, Founder and Executive Director of I Support the Girls
Endorsing Organizations: Alliance for Period Supplies, Empower Her Network, Girls Inc., Helping Women Period, ISSA The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association, I Support the Girls, National Coalition for the Homeless, National Council of Jewish Women, National Network for Youth, PERIOD., Simply the Basics, The Pad Project, The Period Collective.
Bill text can be found here.
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