WHEREAS, in a widely cited St. Louis study of low-income
menstruators, 64 percent of respondents did not have the money to
buy feminine hygiene products in the past year and 46 percent of
respondents were not able to afford both food and feminine hygiene
products in the past year; and
WHEREAS, unexpected menstruation disrupts that person’s day if
hygiene products are not available; a national study by Free the
Tampons, a Columbus-based nonprofit that aims to end restroom
inequality, found that 86 percent of menstruators have started their
periods while out in public without the supplies they need, and 79
percent end up creating makeshift and poor substitutes out of toilet
paper when products are unavailable; and
WHEREAS, access to menstrual products prevents infection caused
by inadequate access to or overuse of singular products, lessening the
overall burden on the healthcare system; and
WHEREAS, access to feminine hygiene products has been shown to
improve the lives of young people during menstruation by increasing
school attendance, reducing stigma, and increasing their confidence;
and
WHEREAS, other cities, including Cleveland, Columbus, New York
City, West Lafayette, Indiana, and Salt Lake City, Utah, provide free
feminine hygiene products in city-owned buildings in order to reduce
barriers in accessing products; and
WHEREAS, the City of Toledo seeks to implement a program to
provide free feminine hygiene products with dignity in restrooms in
government buildings, parks, and other community partner spaces to
ensure menstrual equity, meaning that menstruation does not lead to
financial, social, and safety burdens; and
WHEREAS, this Council encourages other public entities and
businesses to offer feminine hygiene products at no cost in their
restrooms, many of which do currently exist in Toledo.
Council President Carrie Hartman, Council Members Nick Komives
& Dr. Brittany Jones
Label:
Printed on 10/2/2024
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