Title: Raising awareness regarding period poverty.
Policy area: Health

Summary:
This resolution encourages the observation of National Period Awareness Week and Menstrual Hygiene Day. It also recognizes the efforts of individuals and entities to support those struggling with period poverty prior to and during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. (Period poverty refers to a lack of access to menstrual products, which can adversely affect a person's health and well-being.)

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 987 Introduced in House (IH)]

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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;
Whereas this lack of menstrual products, often called ``period poverty'', can 
        adversely affect a person's health and well-being;
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
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the contributions of individuals and 
        entities that operate or support period supply banks and 
        distribution programs in their local communities, prior to and 
        in response to the COVID-19 pandemic;
            (2) recognizes the generosity of the people of the United 
        States for supporting those struggling with period poverty by 
        donating menstrual products;
            (3) recognizes the contributions of menstrual equity 
        advocates for advancing the menstrual equity movement and 
        policy;
            (4) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
        National Period Poverty Awareness Week and Menstrual Hygiene 
        Day;
            (5) calls on relevant Federal agencies, including the 
        Department of Health and Human Services and the Federal 
        Emergency Management Agency, to work with State and local 
        officials to collect data on the menstruation needs of 
        frontline health care workers; and
            (6) urges local, State, and Federal agencies to ensure free 
        access to menstrual products to individuals in need during the 
        COVID-19 response, including for essential frontline workers, 
        students, low-income families, individuals experiencing 
        homelessness, and incarcerated and detained individuals.
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