Cuomo pushing Women’s Agenda into public schools
Young girls in New York school districts can finally breathe a sigh of relief as Governor Andrew Cuomo is pushing his Women’s Agenda Bill this year, installing free feminine hygiene products in their bathrooms.
Girls in grades 6–12 throughout the New York public school districts will have access to the products at any time, as the $7-$15 tampon and pad expense can add up quick. Over time, it can be something that becomes hard to afford for 13-year-olds.
According to Cuomo, he estimates about 42 percent of children live in low-income families in New York and his Women’s Agenda will “continue to raise the bar higher and higher for women in New York, equalizing the playing field for our youngest women.” It is also recognized that certain jobs require the distribution of free feminine products, yet most schools do not.
Da’Ron Wilson, the principal of Poughkeepsie Middle School expressed his intrigue towards this new bill and says he’s looking forward to this progressive movement. “I just heard about this the other day, and I think it’s a great idea. I’m glad our students will feel comfortable and safe knowing they have some sort of relief to a usually uncomfortable situation.”
Cuomo released his 2019 Fiscal Year Budget highlights on March 30 and tweeted out about the school mandate on April 2.
The bill is also supported by Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal, who has been speaking proactively and often about making this change. She says, “No student should miss a day of school or feel ashamed because they don’t have access to tampons or pads.”
Rosenthal believes that these products should be considered the same as toilet paper in school bathrooms. She followed up by saying, “Toilet paper and tampons aren’t different, but the way we think about them is.”
Poughkeepsie High School is not excluded from this bill either. Principal Ronald Jackson also conveyed his thoughts on the matter. “High school students are usually not as private about this situation than the middle school, mainly because they can ask their friends or easily go to the nurse. But I really think it’s a great push, especially for the younger ones.”
In 2016, Mayor Bill DeBlasio the legislation was signed to require free feminine products for jails, schools and shelters. It was only last year that New York became one of nine states to eliminate the tampon tax.
The only other schools that provide this service are California and Illinois as it is a requirement. Virginia is also making progress towards the same access as well.
