Boston’s public schools to provide free menstrual supplies to students

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Boston Public Schools will be offering free menstrual supplies to its students starting in the fall of the 2019 academic year, it was disclosed.

The move is to ensure that the students of Boston’s public schools have every resource they need to learn and succeed, as per a Boston Public Schools (BPS) statement.  

“This pilot program is about equity in our schools, and among our young people,” Boston Mayor Marty Walsh was quoted as saying on Monday, June 17. “Nearly one in five girls in the US have left school early, or missed school all together because they didn’t have access to menstrual products. I’m proud BPS continues to be a leader in equity, ensuring our students have the resources they need, and access to the same opportunities.”

The pilot program will involve all the 77 schools that teach students in grades 6 to 12. According to the statement, the menstrual products will be ordered by the BPS School Health Services, which will then distribute the supplies to the schools’ nurses’ offices throughout the year. 

Interim BPS Superintendent Laura Perille lauded the pilot program, saying it ensures girls do not have to choose between taking care of their health and attending class.

“Offering free, easily accessible menstrual supplies means that more students will have access to the supplies they need, and are able to stay in class and focus on their education,” said Perille.

In some countries such as Bhutan, having menstruation usually means missing class and activities. A study by UNICEF and Bhutan’s education ministry in 2018 showed that more than half of adolescent nuns missed class due to lack of sanitary pads, dirty toilets and having no place to properly dispose of used sanitary pads.

Around 76.58 percent of adolescent Bhutanese nuns also stated it was important to buy pads without being seen.  /ra

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