With 64% of women struggling to afford menstrual products, according to Harvard Health, a new club decided to help. The Women’s Empowerment Club has provided menstrual products in girls bathrooms.
Let’s Make A Space
On Oct. 21, the WEC met for the first time to discuss how to improve the school community.
“The mission is to make Staley a community that supports women and feels like a safe, respectful space for all of the women here,” sponsor Carrie Bowman said.
Women’s Empowerment Club was founded by sophomores Annika Adiga and Stella Crilley.
“They approached Mrs. Sobbe and I about stuff they’d been working on,” Bowman said. “They were really, really excited about it, and I said I was willing to be their sponsor.”
A Need For Change
The first mission of Women’s Empowerment Club was to put up free period products in the womens bathrooms.
“They have placed those in a couple bathrooms so that the women here have access without going to the nurse’s office,” Bowman
said.
The idea of placing period products in the bathroom is not a new one.
“Putting period products in the restrooms was an amazing step of progress toward inclusion for our school because this is a cycle that over half of our students have to go through every month, and it’s not something that we should be punished for having by not being given access to the resources necessary,” club president Annika Adiga said.
Women’s Empowerment Club has put up two racks of menstrual pads in the front core girls bathrooms.
“The admin was really supportive,” Adiga said. “The main resistance has been just the logistics of, ‘How do we get it in there?’ but by talking with the custodians and the principal, we’ve kind of smoothed it out over time.”
Pads Aren’t Cheap
Many students see this as a positive step forward.
“I think it’s a great idea because I know they’re there for some people who are in an emergency or can’t afford the products,” sophomore Alexandra Dehamers said.
Bowman said the club is in the process of setting up an activities fund so they can further expand their menstrual product offerings.
An average box is $6 for 10 menstrual pads and $7 for a box of 16 tampons.
“Period products are basic hygiene needs, no different than the soap or toilet paper that’s already supplied. Additionally, period products have only gotten even more expensive, and they’re not something that every student can afford. With this increased access, we hope that everyone can feel a bit more included at Staley knowing that no matter if they can’t afford the products or simply forgot them, the school has their back,” Adiga said.
The Steps Forward
However, this is a step in not only providing for those who can not afford menstruation products, but also in awareness of the topic itself.
“It’s a great step for improving the awareness around the topic and destigmatizing it,” Adiga said. “It’s also a great step toward accessibility,” Addiga said. “Not everyone can afford to spend the exorbitant amounts they are now.”
According to Adiga, Women’s Empowerment Club will continue to keep the racks stocked with donations from members.
“However, as we hope to expand the project to bathrooms throughout the school, we will be looking to the school for funding. Timewise, we are hoping to have funding approved by January/February, then expand to all bathrooms by April/May. This will allow us to start the 24-25 school year with fully stocked products in every bathroom,” Adiga said.
