On the Floyd campus, there is no easy access to menstrual products in the restrooms—no dispensers or baskets with supplies readily available.
Currently, the only option is to visit the food pantry on campus. However, if no one donates period supplies, women have no access to them, especially if they run out or start their period unexpectedly. Before the bookstores went fully virtual, students could purchase what they needed on campus.
The restrooms themselves provide toilet paper, paper towels, soap and access to running water. What makes menstrual products any less essential for a women’s restroom?
If someone went into a public restroom and found no toilet paper, it would be considered unacceptable. Menstrual products are often treated differently.
Locally and globally women are facing the crisis of period poverty. According to Harvard Public Health, “period poverty” is described as the inability to afford period supplies. This is an issue that some may not be aware of. If a woman does not have access to menstrual products, she may struggle through her cycle.
During an interview on the Floyd campus, female students were asked what made them realize this was an issue.
“I needed a feminine product because I unfortunately didn’t have any on me that day,” student Emily Harris said. “I went into the women’s bathroom thinking there might be some, but there wasn’t. They closed the bookstores and that was normally where packs were available for women. That’s when I was like yeah, this is a problem.”
It is now more inconvenient for students who stay on campus for longer periods each day.
“If I don’t have something with me then I have to leave campus to go all the way home,” student Darlyn Morales said. “At that point I’m not coming back.”
Morales added, “I’m a working woman; my whole day is interrupted by not having a necessity. What if I have an accident and I bleed through? Why aren’t we working together as a society to help women out?”
When the issue was brought up to SGA President Cheyenne Bailey, it was mentioned that last year’s first Annual ‘Womenspo’ event hosted by the Women of GHC required attendees to bring feminine products as the admission price.
Students were asked what should be done to find a solution. “It’s simply trying to find a good way to distribute these supplies whether that be relying on the custodial people to put baskets out, having club officers do it or members of Women of GHC putting those things out,” Harris said.
If the distribution issue is resolved, females won’t have to worry if something happens and will be taken care of during their time of the month. Women should be able to feel comfortable in a school environment.
According to an article by Georgia STOMP, providing menstrual products in schools “is essential to ensuring a student’s education isn’t negatively impacted because of a lack of supplies.”
All campuses should have a place that carries menstrual products consistently.
