IV 

116TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 987 

Raising awareness regarding period poverty. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MAY 28, 2020 

Ms. MENG submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on Energy and Commerce 

RESOLUTION 

Raising awareness regarding period poverty. 

Whereas National Period Poverty Awareness Week is recognized on May 25 through May 31, 2020; 

Whereas, since 2013, Menstrual Hygiene Day is annually 

commemorated on May 28 to raise awareness and catalyze action around the challenges menstruation poses to 

individuals around the world; 

Whereas more than half of the United States population will 

likely menstruate every month for decades of their lives; 

Whereas menstrual products are a necessity each month for 

millions of people across the country; 

Whereas studies have shown that 1 in 4 women and girls reports that she struggles to afford menstrual products; 


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Whereas this lack of menstrual products, often called ‘‘period 

poverty’’, can adversely affect a person’s health and wellbeing; 

Whereas studies have shown that 1 in 5 women and girls reports missing work or school due to a lack of access to 

menstrual products; 

Whereas period poverty exacerbates the vicious cycle of poverty by further marginalizing those who menstruate, 

causing them to withdraw from daily life, forego pay, or 

miss educational opportunities; 

Whereas period poverty can increase the risk of infections, 

because of the use of substitutes, such as paper towels 

or toilet paper, or because of an inability to change products as frequently as recommended; 

Whereas period poverty existed long before the COVID–19 

pandemic; 

Whereas the COVID–19 pandemic has forced millions of people out of work, and thereby exacerbated the socioeconomic and health challenges of individuals facing period poverty; 

Whereas menstrual products are essential to the health and 

economic well-being of individuals in both overcoming and 

recovering from the COVID–19 pandemic; and 

Whereas frontline health care workers in the fight against the 

COVID–19 pandemic have reported the challenges of 

working extended shifts in full-body protective gear while 

managing their periods, and that their overall menstruation needs have been overlooked: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 


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1 (1) recognizes the contributions of individuals 

2 and entities that operate or support period supply 

3 banks and distribution programs in their local com4 munities, prior to and in response to the COVID– 

5 19 pandemic; 

6 (2) recognizes the generosity of the people of 

7 the United States for supporting those struggling 

8 with period poverty by donating menstrual products; 

9 (3) recognizes the contributions of menstrual 

10 equity advocates for advancing the menstrual equity 

11 movement and policy; 

12 (4) encourages the people of the United States 

13 to observe National Period Poverty Awareness Week 

14 and Menstrual Hygiene Day; 

15 (5) calls on relevant Federal agencies, including 

16 the Department of Health and Human Services and 

17 the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to 

18 work with State and local officials to collect data on 

19 the menstruation needs of frontline health care 

20 workers; and 

21 (6) urges local, State, and Federal agencies to 

22 ensure free access to menstrual products to individ23 uals in need during the COVID–19 response, includ24 ing for essential frontline workers, students, low-inVerDate Sep 11 2014 02:18 May 29, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR987.IH HR987

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1 come families, individuals experiencing homelessness, 

2 and incarcerated and detained individuals. 

Æ 


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