At a young age, when a girl gets her period for the first time, she already knows that she is not allowed to mention it in public. Unless she does not mind that people will look at her with disgust. Talking about periods and the anatomy of a woman is forbidden because people cringe at the idea of mentioning something caused by biology yet, it is okay to objectify a women's body. No one- men in particular never seem to mind.
I, like I'm sure some women and girls out there have an irregular menstrual cycle. Meaning that I'm not one to get my period every month or for 7 days a week. I normally get it every 2 months and it only lasts for 3 days. It makes it really hard for me to keep track of it and I always worry hoping that I won't stain. So I always carry extra tampons or pads. However, sometimes I tend to give some to women who happen to be on it while I'm not because they either ran out or forgot to carry extra. Which I do not mind doing because I know one day I might also need to ask for one. In school however, I remember how if no one had an extra pad we would have to pay for one, but imagine if pads and tampons became accessible and for free? Luckily, it has already started in New York City and hopefully every state does it as well.
In New York City there was a law passed stating that tampons and pads will be provided in public schools, homeless shelters, and jails all for free. This means that no little girl, a homeless woman, or a women in jail will have to worry about not having a pad or tampon.
Having this law pass is a small accomplishment. People are finally recognizing that women bleed out of their vaginas almost every month. The cost of being on your period adds up and unfortunately not everyone can afford it. Yet, with this law several women and families will be saving money that can be used in other things to help the family. Before you say anything this law is not just another handout. This law will help low income women save a few dollars and use it on other things. Plus with this law being passed we as a society are slowly dismantling the stigma surrounding menstruation.
New York City is helping us women to not be ashamed to talk about our periods in public. For so long we have thought of the menstrual cycle and periods as dirty words but they are not. Although having your period every month comes with pains it is part of nature and a reality for almost every woman. Hopefully, this law also gets passed in every state and that women will stop feeling ashamed when they get their period and that men stop shaming us for something we cannot control.
