It was after winter break, and a time when going back to school wasn’t dreadful. My classmates and I were still listening to Christmas carols as we took down the 3-foot tree in our English classroom adorned with our “To Kill a Mockingbird”-inspired ornaments.
My best friend pulled me away for a little dance break, but I had gotten my period just minutes earlier without a chance to go to the bathroom. So some may say I was a bit stiff. I was getting used to the whole menstruation affair and decided that minimal movement was key. As my friend attempted to twirl me around, in my effort to remain as rigid as possible, I fell right over, and she was pulled down with me.
While this is a silly moment I look back on, many students in this country go to school with a nagging feeling of embarrassment when it comes to their period. A large number of those who menstruate may not have access to menstrual products at school while some may not be able to obtain any at all. According to Lift Louisiana, 20% of teens struggle to afford period products.
Menstrual products should be free, particularly for our students. From the “pink tax” to general stigma, a person’s menstruation cycle brings about social difficulties along with physical discomfort and pain. One in 4 teens have missed class because of a lack of access to period products. This is unjust.
House Bill 117 works to require free menstrual products in public schools. Contact your legislators to support this legislation to help make our students’ academic lives a bit easier.
JASMIN KUMAR
TeenREACHer with Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast and student at Benjamin Franklin High School
New Orleans
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