It’s 2019, and yet, 35 US States still have a sales tax on period products considering them non-essential items. 1 in 4 women struggle to afford period products due to a lack of income. In the first city-wide study on period poverty, it was found that 46% of low-income women had to choose between a meal and period products. Because of the period stigma that makes menstruation a taboo topic, we don’t often think about what it’s like for a homeless or low-income menstruator to get their period and don’t have open conversations about period health or solutions to period poverty.

PERIOD is a global youth-run nonprofit fighting to end period poverty and period stigma through service, education, and advocacy. Their network of over 400 registered campus chapters in all 50 states and beyond have drafted this Menstrual Movement Manifesto to elevate the issue of period poverty and demand these clear policy changes. This October 19th will be the world’s first #NationalPeriodDay -- get ready to rally!

                                               THE MENSTRUAL MOVEMENT MANIFESTO

We believe that it is a fundamental human right to be able to discover and reach your full potential, regardless of a natural need – and what could be more natural then menstruation? Simply put -- MENSTRUAL HYGIENE IS A RIGHT, NOT A PRIVILEGE.

We are the Menstrual Movement -- fighting for equitable access to menstrual hygiene, and breaking down the stigma surrounding periods. This fight is on ALL OF US, and we must TAKE ACTION NOW. Unlike most poverty-related issues, this one is solvable. Along with destigmatizing periods, we are calling for:

             1. Clean and healthy period products to be freely accessible in schools, shelters, and prisons

             2. Eliminate the “tampon tax” - exempt period products from the sales tax.

WANT TO HEAR IT AGAIN? THIS TIME LOUDER?