Every day, thousands of girls across the US struggle. We struggle with the embarrassment of going to school on our periods, we struggle with the pain that comes with it, and some of us also struggle with accessibility to proper menstrual products. The thing is, only the first two of these things are inevitable and out of the control of school administration. The endless battle that girls (especially ones in underprivileged areas) wage to gain basic menstrual care is completely unnecessary. It could easily be helped or even avoided with one simple change: free menstrual products in the girls’ bathrooms.
When asked about if menstrual products will be provided in the bathrooms, administration responded by saying that students should walk to the office where they provide them. Most students are unaware that this is a resource the school provides for them. This is an unnecessary and uncomfortable hassle, especially considering that periods are a natural thing that affects half of the population. So instead of walking all the way to the office for something that should be as easily accessible as toilet paper, we ask each other for help. Not every student, however, feels comfortable asking others for pads or tampons. We shouldn’t have to rely on our peers instead of the people who get paid to support and provide for us.
All of us.
Many girls at LHS feel that this change would dramatically increase their success and comfort at school. And isn’t that something that should be prioritized? The boy’s bathrooms were able to have urinal dividers installed, which costs much more than installing free dispensing machines or baskets refilled with pads and tampons. There is a feeling, however, that girls’ needs are not prioritized the same way. But it doesn’t need to be this way. It shouldn’t be this way.
Free menstrual products in the girls’ bathrooms would demonstrate that administration does care for female students and their right to basic hygiene products. The fact that this proposal has been dismissed and ignored several times by LHS administration is alarming and upsetting. Pads and tampons shouldn’t be treated like taboo subjects and it is the school’s responsibility to care and provide for all of their students.
If you are passionate about this subject, take action. Sending emails and letters to administration is a powerful way to directly inspire change in our LHS community.
