The El Paso City Council will vote today, Tuesday, April 25, on the implementation of a program to provide free menstrual products at all City facilities.
The endowment would include products such as tampons, sanitary napkins and menstrual cups readily available to those who need them.
Councilor Alexsandra Annello, from District 2, was the one who presented these articles to the Council. She is endorsed by her fellow local representatives Isabel Salcido, from District 5, and Chris Canales, from District 8.
After seeing the free menstrual products offered at the Dallas Love Field airport, Annello believed that El Paso could benefit from offering these essential items as well.
Period Access Dallas offers free period products, including sanitary pads and tampons, at public facilities. If someone can’t afford menstruation products, they can visit participating libraries or recreation centers to receive a month’s supply.
“There are people who may not use a women’s room who do need menstrual products, so make sure they are available, whether it’s in a library, behind the desk at a recreation center, behind the desk for people to feel comfortable with. asking for things when they need them,” Annello said.
If the article is approved, the El Paso City Manager will look at ways to implement the program. To finance it, Annello proposes that this resolution be included in next year’s budget.
“The cost would be minimal because we already supply sanitary ware in our bathrooms as is,” Annello said.
According to the National Organization for Women, people spend more than $20 on menstrual products each cycle. This especially affects families and individuals below the poverty line.
If approved, Annello wants this program to allow women who need menstrual products to feel comfortable at City facilities if they need them.
“It’s also to acknowledge that we know this is a necessity for people who come to a City facility. Whether they are with their children or with their adult families, they should feel comfortable knowing that they should not be ashamed of what is happening to them and that what they need is available to them,” Annello said.
The resolution seeks to grant free menstrual products (tampons, sanitary napkins, menstrual cups and menstrual panties) in public spaces. This will help reduce stigma and promote menstrual equity, which is essential to ensure gender equity in our community.
Poor menstruation health can have an impact on a person’s mental health, such as anxiety, depression, or mood swings during their menstrual cycle. By providing resources for good menstrual health, people can alleviate some of these symptoms.
Statistics indicate that in Texas, 1 in 6 women and girls ages 12 to 44 live below the poverty line, and the average person during menstruation spends up to $40 on menstrual products per cycle, which adds up to about $11,000. to $18,000 over his lifetime.
2023-04-25 04:55:18
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