THE RAG: Issue 2

Your weekly flow of any news headlines, surrounding periods.

Parktown High School for Girls March to End the ‘Tampon Tax’.

Parktown High School for Girls marched to protest against VAT (value added tax) on all menstrual products. These girls affirm that menstrual products are necessities, not luxuries goods. As a result, menstrual products should be VAT exempt.

Photo: Rosebank

Dimitrijevic Advocates for Free Menstrual Products in Bathrooms

Milwaukee County Supervisor Marina Dimitrijevic wants the county to provide free menstrual hygiene products in restrooms at the courthouse and the Coggs Human Services Center as a step toward gender equity.

“Menstrual equity is gender equity and I hope the inclusion of these items becomes a model for private facility restrooms to follow so that every woman is prepared to succeed each day,” Dimitrijevic said.

Dimitrijevic is following states such as California and New York where public schools serving students in grades 6 to 12 are required to supply free feminine hygiene products in their bathrooms.

Photo: JSonline

Her Justice Advocates for Women’s Rights and Menstrual Equity

Menstrual equity was the topic of discussion by Her Justice, a non-profit that recruits attorneys from New York City’s law firms to provide free legal assistance in the areas of family, divorce, and immigration law to women living in poverty.

Her justice advocates for menstrual equity through state and federal tax efforts (ie. advocating to remove the sales tax on menstrual products) and public accommodations (ie. ensuring all correctional facilities, shelters, and public schools distribute menstrual products free of charge).

Photo: Marketwatch

PERIOD. Chapter News: Blair Academy

This week Blair Academy, a boarding school in Blairstown, NJ, hosted a donation drive for menstrual products. Students put their donated menstrual products in boxes that were placed inside each dorm. These products will be packed for homeless shelters and local churches.