May 23-29, 2022: Period Poverty Awareness Week

WHEREAS, half of the population will likely menstruate each month for decades of their lives; and,

WHEREAS, menstrual supplies are a necessity each month for people who menstruate; and,

WHEREAS, lack of menstrual supplies, known as period poverty, can adversely affect the health and well-being of women and disproportionately impacts Black and Latina women; and,

WHEREAS, national studies report that two in five women and girls have struggled to purchase menstrual supplies due to lack of income, and more than one in three women and girls miss work or school as a result; and,

WHEREAS, period poverty exacerbates the vicious cycle of poverty by forcing women to withdraw from daily life, losing pay or missing educational opportunities; and,

WHEREAS, women struggling with period poverty, risk infections by substituting products – such as socks or toilet paper – or not changing products as often as needed; and,

WHEREAS, period poverty is a public health and health equity issue, and addressing access to period products for all people can lead to improved health for women and economic opportunity for individuals and communities to thrive and reach their full potential; and,

WHEREAS, local, state and federal entities can take action to address period poverty and ensure equitable access to period products by ending sales taxes on menstrual products, providing products in institutions such as prisons and jails, including menstrual products in public health benefits and poverty programs, and making products available in public restrooms, public schools, and homeless shelters; and,

WHEREAS, Michigan is proud to have trusted community-based organizations that recognize the importance of period products in ensuring health, providing economic stability, and distributing period products through various channels; and,

WHEREAS, this week is designated to recognize the importance of addressing period poverty to promote health equity across the state and ensure the health and well-being of all people who menstruate, to thank organizations committed to resolving this fundamental issue in our state, and to encourage Michiganders to donate to period supply banks, product drives, and organizations that collect and distribute period products for those struggling with period poverty;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim May 23-29, 2022 as Period Poverty Awareness Week in Michigan.