Menstrual equity in washington and beyond
by Nancy Duong, Reporter and Web Designer
Health and Wellness
Menstruation is a natural process where the uterus sheds blood and tissue through the vagina, otherwise known as a period. Despite being a natural human process, many are still ostracized because of it, especially in cultures where it is seen as dirty or shameful.
In many countries, including the U.S., menstrual products are taxed as luxury items instead of being considered basic necessities. Up until last year in 2020 with SB (Senate Bill) 5147, Washington was one of the 35 states in the U.S. that still upheld the “tampon tax.” Taxing menstrual products makes them less accessible to those who are low-income, incarcerated, or homeless.
In addition to abolishing the tampon tax, there have been many efforts in the past few years to push the notion that menstrual products should be provided in schools. Oftentimes, the menstrual cycle can be irregular, especially for students middle and high school-aged, and it becomes difficult to predict. Many schools do not offer enough menstrual products for everyone, and some schools do not provide any at all. As a result, many students have missed class time due to shame and “period poverty,” a term used to refer to the lack of access to period products. If 85% of U.S. colleges distribute free condoms, why is the line drawn at a basic human process such as menstruation?
Taxing menstrual products is another instance of the “pink tax,” where products geared toward women are often more expensive. It is not uncommon to see products branded for men versus products branded for women. Despite serving the same purpose, they are often priced differently. It is important to note that not all people who menstruate identify as women. Continuing to uphold the tampon tax and others like the pink tax promotes gender inequity. Ensuring menstrual equity is not just a women’s rights issue, but a human rights issue as well.
Over the past few years, many efforts have been made to destigmatize menstruation. The CARES Act, or the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, reclassified menstrual products as medical expenses. Scotland became the first nation to offer menstrual products for free in late November 2020.
In Washington, there have been a variety of bills proposed to promote menstrual equity in the past few years. HB (House Bill) 1053 was introduced back in 2019, which provided a sales and use tax exemption for menstrual hygiene products in Washington. In December 2020, SB 6073 was introduced, requiring schools to provide free menstrual products in female-designated and gender-neutral restrooms for grades six to twelve.
In January 2021, two bills, SB 5070 and HB 1273, were introduced to the House and Senate, respectively. Like SB 6073, both pertained to offering free menstrual products in schools. SB 5070 had a Committee Hearing, but the bill did not go through.
HB 1273 passed its Executive Session and the House floor on February 4th with three amendments. The bill was expanded to include third to fifth graders and for schools without gender-neutral bathrooms, the products would also be accessible to male students or in a school health room, available to all students. A null and void clause was also added. HB 1273 had its first reading in the Senate on March 1st and was referred to Early Learning and K-12 Education. As a result, there will be another Committee Hearing.
The Red Sea Collective, a Seattle based organization, has compiled a document full of resources of where to contact community leaders and representatives. In order to move the bill forward, it is essential to reach out in support of the bill and to promote menstrual equity and human rights.
DISCLAIMER: The opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints expressed by the various authors in this paper do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of Kamiak High School or The Gauntlet.
Sources
“HB 1273 2021-22.” Washington State Legislature, app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1273&Year=2021&Initiative=false.
“SB 5070 - 2021-22.” Washington State Legislature, app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5070&Initiative=false&Year=2021.
“SB 5147 - 2019-20.” Washington State Legislature, app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5147&Initiative=false&Year=2019.
“SB 6073 - 2019-20.” Washington State Legislature, app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6073&Initiative=false&Year=2019.
“Seattle Period Rights.” The Red SEA, www.theredseacollective.org/.
Specia, Megan. “Tackling 'Period Poverty,' Scotland Is 1st Nation to Make Sanitary Products Free.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 24 Nov. 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/11/24/world/europe/scotland-free-period-products.html.