Zonta International is a global organization of individuals dedicated to building a better world for women and girls. The Zonta USA Advocacy Action Center is a tool for our members in the United States and other individuals who share our commitment to gender equality to take action to improve the lives of women and girls. With your help, we can make a difference. In addition to the actions below, click here to support our joint efforts with UNICEF USA to end child marriage in the United States.
No one should have to forego educational or employment opportunities just because they do not have access to menstrual products. Furthermore, people should not be forced to choose between purchasing food or paying for rent and buying menstrual products.
The Menstrual Equity for All Act (H.R. 3646) is a whole-of-government approach to eradicate period poverty and achieve menstrual equity. Specifically, the legislation would:
- Give states the option to use federal grant funds to provide students in elementary and secondary schools with free menstrual products.
- Incentivize institutions of higher education to create pilot programs that provide free menstrual products to students.
- Ensure incarcerated individuals and detainees in federal (including immigration detention centers), state and local facilities have access to free menstrual products, including requiring guidance on distribution.
- Allow homeless assistance providers to use grant funds that cover shelter necessities (such as blankets and toothbrushes) to also use those funds to purchase menstrual products.
- Require Medicaid to cover the cost of menstrual products.
- Direct large employers (with 100 or more employees) to provide free menstrual products for their employees in the workplace.
- Require all public federal buildings to provide free menstrual products in the restrooms.
- Provide states and localities with funds through the Social Services Block Grant program to support free menstrual products programs.
- Prohibit sales tax on period products.
- Create a pilot program within the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program to help families in need access menstrual products.
“Menstruation is a natural part of life for roughly half the world’s population,” said Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY), the bill’s sponsor. “Access to period products is a health care right and in turn, a human right. My Menstrual Equity for All Act is a comprehensive approach to end period poverty and ensure that all menstruators have access to safe and affordable period products.”
Please use our pre-drafted letter to urge your representatives to co-sponsor and support the Menstrual Equity for All Act. If they have already sponsored or co-sponsored the bill, you can send a message of thanks.