"No one thinks twice about stocking restrooms with free toilet paper and hand towels. So why don't we stock menstrual products for free too?"
That's part of Planned Parenthood's argument for why there should be free menstrual health products for all, specifically for students in public schools. They currently have an online petition, asking those who agree to sign.
This is just one part in the fight to bring free menstrual products to all. Several chapters of Planned Parenthood Generation Action have been pushing to get free menstrual products on many college campuses, including Ithaca College.
Planned Parenthood Generation Action is "is a network of young organizers and activists across the country, who organize events on their campuses and in their communities to mobilize advocates for reproductive freedom."
Ithaca College Generation Action is one of the chapters of this national organization. They are affiliated with Planned Parenthood of the Southern Fingerlakes. They provide the club with resources and information for their campaigns so the students can put their ideas into actions.
"Our mission statement aligns with Planned Parenthood's mission statement and then it differs based of what we see fit for our campus" says Tatiana Jorio. Jorio is currently the President of IC Generation action and has been working with the organization for a few years.
Jorio discussed what her organization is doing as part of their own "Free Menstrual Products campaign." One part of their campaign, similar to Planned Parenthood's campaign, revolves around a petition. Jorio says they are looking for "signatures from the Ithaca College community, faculty, students, or just community members at large" who agree with their mission to bring free and accessible menstrual products in a gender inclusive way.
Their petition currently has around 1,500 signatures. IC Generation Action is looking to get about half of the student body to sign, which would be around 3,200 signatures.
The petition is just one part of this campaign. IC Generation Action is also partnering with the Student Governance Council to pass a bill that would put pressure on the administration to put this idea into action.
If this campaign is successful, Ithaca College will be just one of many college's in the nation to begin offering free menstrual health products to their students. Cornell University has already successfully implemented a similar program, along with universities like Brown, Harvard and Lafayette College.
Many may be wondering "where would the funding for a program like this come from?" I asked both IC Generation Action President, Tatiana Jorio and SGC Senator, Elijah Nishiura, and neither had specific information on how exactly this would be paid for. They both however mentioned that the college currently pays for free condoms across campus, and they don't see this as being any less necessary.
IC Generation Action wants it to be known that their campaign goes beyond the problem of just those who can't afford menstrual products, but they also feel it's an act that represents equality for all students.
Jorio says "it's so inconvenient to have a period on this campus and that needs to change." She also told me about a conference she recently attended on LGBTQ+ rights. "The director of LGBTQ services on campus said he wants to give out the message 'we've expected you' to students who come here, not 'oh we have to prepare for you now.' I feel like that also applies to menstrual products being offered in an inclusive way."
Jorio and Nishiura have been working diligently and hope to see some of their goals met by the end of this academic year, if not earlier.