MADISON- Thursday, Senator Melissa Agard (D-Madison) and Representative Sondy Pope (D-Mount Horeb) released legislation requiring all school buildings to provide free menstrual products in bathrooms.

Senator Agard and Representative Pope released the following statements:

Senator Agard

“For far too long, menstruation has been stigmatized, hidden, and treated with shame and derision. Menstrual products are necessities, not luxuries. No one should have to miss work or school, risk their health, or compromise their dignity because they menstruate. No person should have to be without the products necessary to care for their health.

“It is well past time for the conversation of menstrual product accessibility and equality to be brought to the forefront, as those who menstruate here in Wisconsin should not have to continue to face the undue and unjust burdens of inaccessibility to essential products.”

Representative Pope

“Students should never have to worry about the distraction of a period-related episode while they are trying to learn. This possibility disproportionately affects students in poverty who cannot always afford to have hygiene products on hand. Having them provided at the school will undoubtedly help prevent embarrassing and traumatic incidents. Any opposition to this commonsense proposal is plainly sexist. Menstruation is a natural process just like any other bodily function and products to care for it should be as readily available as toilet paper.”