Maryland

13.3% of children living in the state of Maryland live below the poverty line. In 2019, the Maryland Department of Education reports that about 42.6% of Maryland Public School Students participated in free or reduced school meals. This means that accessing affordable period products is difficult for many.

At the University of Maryland, College Park, students are currently leading an initiative to bring free period products to students dispensed at public bathrooms. However, the Facilities director has blocked their initiative. This lack of access is even more significant during a global pandemic and highlights the challenges women face in academic settings.

Our Efforts:

We are lobbying for a bill at the Maryland State House and Senate that would require period products in bathrooms in all Maryland public schools: SB427: Public Schools - Provision of Menstrual Hygiene Products - Requirement

A national study found that 1 in 5 teenagers have trouble affording menstrual products or cannot buy them at all. Without easily accessible period products in bathrooms, students may choose to leave school early, or skip school altogether - especially if they don’t feel comfortable asking a teacher or friend due to the stigma of periods. By providing free menstrual products in public school bathrooms, this bill will help fight period poverty and the stigma surrounding menstruation. Easily accessible period products are a necessity, and all students should be able to learn without worrying about their period.

Just the beginning of a menstruation revolution in Maryland, we are also working with Get Ovary It and MaryPIRG to identify needs at the University of Maryland and hold the administration accountable.