By expanding access to menstrual products in schools, California can help ensure its students have equal access to education and are empowered to reach their full potential, irrespective of their gender or economic status.
Research shows that students lacking access to menstrual products experience higher rates of absence and are less able to focus and engage in the classroom. A lack of access to menstrual products can also cause serious health issues, including emotional distress, physical infection, and disease.
One study found that 1 in 4 girls missed class due to a lack of access to menstrual products and that 1 in 5 reported not being able to afford menstrual products.
When New York City schools began providing free menstrual products, they saw a 2.4% increase in student attendance.
AB 367 (C. Garcia) would promote menstrual equity by:
- Requiring that all public schools that teach between 6th-12th grade provide free menstrual products in at least 50% of their restrooms
- Requiring that community colleges and the California State University provide menstrual products at at least one central, accessible location on each campus and encouraging University of California and private universities to do the same
In expanding access to menstrual products for California students, AB 367 promotes gender equity for girls, women, and transgender and non-binary people and helps ensure their health, safety, and dignity.
AB 367 co-sponsors are the ACLU of California Action, Alliance for Period Supplies, Alliance for Girls, Black Women for Wellness, California Association of Student Councils (CASC), California Latinas for Reproductive Justice, Free the Period California, IGNITE National, National Diaper Bank Network, and PERIOD. A Menstrual Movement.