Tara Olivo, associate editor09.29.15
Last week a pilot program was announced that would provide free sanitary napkins and tampons to the girls’ restroom at a public high school in New York City—the High School for Arts and Business.
Hospeco, a manufacturer of personal and facility cleaning and protection products, partnered with New York City council member Julissa Ferreras-Copeland and the NYC Department of Education in providing the first dispenser of the free feminine hygiene products.
“Offering free menstrual care supplies as we do toilet paper and condoms is a matter of avoiding health risks, eliminating stigma, and for girls, not having to skip class because they got their period,” says Ferreras-Copeland. “Feminine hygiene products allow women and girls to carry out their responsibilities uninterrupted, and these products should always be accessible.”
According to a press release, Ferreras-Copeland and the City Council have been pushing for free feminine hygiene products in schools and public buildings.
This could set a huge precedent for other high schools in New York City and throughout other major cities in the U.S. if it proves successful. Feminine hygiene products are a necessity, and for girls who feel a stigma when having their periods, or for those who simply can’t afford femcare products, this could be a huge win for women’s health if it becomes a trend among other schools.
Next month, Ferreras-Copeland and New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito are planning to introduce legislation on free feminine hygiene products, and the council is also lobbying the state capitol of New York to be among the states that have eliminated sales tax on feminine hygiene products, items that are considered medical devices by the FDA.
Hospeco, a manufacturer of personal and facility cleaning and protection products, partnered with New York City council member Julissa Ferreras-Copeland and the NYC Department of Education in providing the first dispenser of the free feminine hygiene products.
“Offering free menstrual care supplies as we do toilet paper and condoms is a matter of avoiding health risks, eliminating stigma, and for girls, not having to skip class because they got their period,” says Ferreras-Copeland. “Feminine hygiene products allow women and girls to carry out their responsibilities uninterrupted, and these products should always be accessible.”
According to a press release, Ferreras-Copeland and the City Council have been pushing for free feminine hygiene products in schools and public buildings.
This could set a huge precedent for other high schools in New York City and throughout other major cities in the U.S. if it proves successful. Feminine hygiene products are a necessity, and for girls who feel a stigma when having their periods, or for those who simply can’t afford femcare products, this could be a huge win for women’s health if it becomes a trend among other schools.
Next month, Ferreras-Copeland and New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito are planning to introduce legislation on free feminine hygiene products, and the council is also lobbying the state capitol of New York to be among the states that have eliminated sales tax on feminine hygiene products, items that are considered medical devices by the FDA.