Cleveland ordinance makes feminine hygiene products more accessible

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Nationwide Group for Ladies cited a Brown College examine that discovered girls spend about $20 on female hygiene merchandise per menstruation cycle.

Recognizing this as a think about fairness for ladies, the vast majority of Cleveland Metropolis Council final 12 months signed on to Councilwoman Jasmin Santa’s ordinance to supply free female hygiene merchandise in Cleveland Metropolis Corridor and in neighborhood useful resource and recreation facilities. The change took impact Monday. 

Dana Marlowe, the founding father of nonprofit group I Assist the Women, believes menstrual merchandise must be as accessible as different fundamental requirements. 

“The identical method that you’d count on to stroll into public locations and have entry to bathroom paper within the restroom, it’s good when Metropolis Council members say we wish to ensure that we’re capable of present menstrual hygiene merchandise as nicely,” she mentioned.

Marlowe’s group distributes female hygiene merchandise to folks throughout america. 

“Interval poverty and menstrual fairness exist,” she mentioned. 

Marlowe expressed hope that different organizations comply with Cleveland Metropolis Council.

“When different small companies or giant companies see that Cleveland Metropolis Corridor is doing this, completely they’re trying to their native authorities to pave the best way,” she mentioned.

The state of Ohio stopped taxing interval merchandise years in the past. Marlowe defined how important these merchandise are for individuals who menstruate. 

“Everybody deserves equal entry to menstrual hygiene merchandise,” she mentioned.