As we rush through our day paying five dollars for our morning coffee, four dollars for a gallon of gas, and make plans for dinner out, others – including many children and young adults – are one paycheck or unexpected expense away from disaster.
Here in one of the wealthiest states in the nation, there are many among us who can’t easily afford everyday necessities such as soap and other hygiene products needed to stay clean, healthy, and confident.
For women with limited financial resources, another necessity that may be out of reach is menstrual hygiene products. The inability to access and pay for these products can lead to embarrassing situations, shame, and stigma. Imagine the impact on young girls who are just learning to manage this part of their lives. This is a serious issue that is too easy to ignore because it’s a topic many of us are not comfortable discussing. That needs to change.
Connecticut is one of a number of states that has passed legislation requiring public schools to make hygiene products available in school buildings as a way to ensure access for everyone regardless of financial resources. The new law takes effect in September of 2024, but the need is evident now. It is estimated that as many as 30% of women in the United States are unable to afford the products they need to stay healthy.
In 2019 the Connecticut-based non-profit Dignity Grows was formed to address the issue of greater access to menstrual products. The group began to assemble and...
The court found the relator did not allege specific reimbursement requests or facts linking challenged promotional statements to government payments. A Maryland federal district court dismissed a ...