Menstrual Equity Club Northeastern
What is Period Poverty?
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Period poverty is described as having insufficient access to menstrual products, education, and sanitation facilities. This results in millions of women that are subjected to injustice and inequity due to menstruation (1).
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Quick Facts:
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A 2018 Always brand survey found nearly 1 in 5 American girls has missed school due to a lack of period protection (2).
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Some women have reported giving up their food stamps for money to buy tampons (2).
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​Most states carry a sales tax on feminine hygiene products (2).
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Colorado has a menstrual tax, but private jet parts are untaxed. Georgia has a menstrual tax, but tattoos are untaxed. Idaho has a menstrual tax, but hair loss treatment is untaxed. South Carolina has a menstrual tax, but amusement park rides are untaxed (3).
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OUR PLANS
Policy Questions we will Address and Act on
1. How can we take steps to get rid of menstrual tax in Massachusetts? How about our home states?
2. What bills can we back up or create that will allow for greater access to menstrual products?
3. Does Northeastern have free period products in every building? If so, are they safe and comfortable to use?
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Service
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We are partnering with a Women's Shelter in the Greater Boston Area to volunteer with them and hold fundraisers and drives for them.
Other Projects
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We are creating a blog and podcast for everyone to have a voice and raise awareness about period poverty! We are also part of the Massachusetts Menstrual Equity Student Coalition, which always has projects we can help work on.
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Events!
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We will have some fun and empowering events this semester! Some of them include:
1. A letter writing event!
2. A stigma breaking event - Period Horror Stories Night
3. A movie screening (with snacks!!)
4. A Period Art Event!
5. And Anything You All Want!
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Acknowledgements
We are a new organization on campus and welcome all ideas and inputs! Please let us know what you want to see out of us.