Finally, someone has acknowledged that periods suck. And not just in the manner that they're inconvenient or uncomfortable, but that the way we handle periods in this society can genuinely hinder women from being all that they can be. And that's not okay.
In the past week, New York City lawmakers passed a bill that will provide free feminine hygiene products to women in public schools, correctional facilities, and temporary shelters. This legislation opens up the door to a system of welfare provision that's been lacking for far too long.
For millennia, women were declared gross, dirty, disgusting, and unclean when on their periods. Due to both the lack in hygienic provisions and the shame cast on them by society, females were left immobilized for days at a time. This seems like such an archaic thing of the past, but unbeknownst to many of us, this still happens today.
Women who cannot afford hygiene products are forced to endure this same ritual immobilization. We live in a society that sees menstruation as something to be hidden, ignored, and ashamed of. When women don't have the means to manage their period, they are hindered from participating in daily life. Impoverished women scrap together rags to use and try to remain out of the public eye for fear of being shamed. Girls in school will skip classes for days at a time in order to avoid any embarrassment.
We live in a country that strives to provide equal opportunity for everyone. Providing these free tampons and pads isn't just another handout — it's a way for women of all walks of life to be able to finally live in a manner they never imagined possible. They will be able to work every single day and have those extra days' wages to help feed their children and increase their shot at climbing the corporate ladder. Girls in school will be able to go to class every day and not worry about something as natural as their body stopping them. The playing ground for men and women will become equal in a way it never has been before.
And not only will this legislation provide for the physical needs of women. One of the most beautiful things about this bill in New York City is that it helps overcome the stigma surrounding menstruation, just by its very nature. When was the last time you heard anyone talking openly about periods, let alone a city council or mayor? For too long, the term "period" has been seen as a dirty word. On the contrary, it's a reality for almost every woman out there. It's a fact of daily life, it's something that their bodies do on their own accord, and it's natural. So why in the world are we still making women feel ashamed of their bodies, when in reality they are fearfully and wonderfully made just as they are?
Millions of women are on their period every day. Thousands of them have been held back from their full potential. But in New York City, not anymore. Girls in the school system will be able to succeed without having to jump through hoops just because they're a female. Women in correctional facilities and shelters will have a bit of normalcy returned to their lives. No matter where these women are in life, things as simple as tampons and pads can bring hope. With each life affected, another obstacle for women is crossed off the list, bringing us one step closer to truly equal opportunities for both male and female.
