California public schools with students in grades 6–12 will soon provide free menstrual products in their restrooms, including boys’.
AB 367, also known as the Menstrual Equity for All Act of 2021, requires 6–12 grade schools to provide free menstrual pads and tampons in all of their girls’ and all-gender restrooms, and in at least one boys’ restroom by the beginning of the next academic year.
The bill also requires California State Universities and community colleges to provide an “adequate supply” of menstrual products in their restrooms. All costs will be reimbursed by the state.
“By making access to menstrual products a basic human right, we will assure more than half of California’s population that menstruates that a fundamental function of human biology should not be a barrier to positive outcomes,” Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens) said in a statement.
The bill was introduced by Garcia in February 2021 to promote “menstrual equity.”
The passage of the bill was celebrated by women’s rights advocates, including Jennifer Sibel Newsom, California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s wife.
However, some critics have questioned the feasibility of this law and accused the policymakers of wasting taxpayers’ money.
“So it’s ok for women to go deep into debt to go [to] Cal State and UC’s but in doing so they can’t afford menstrual products. How about fixing the over bloated educational system?” a Twitter user wrote questioning the law under Newsom’s post.
As the current academic year approaches its end, some schools have already installed dispensers in the restrooms, including the South High School in Torrance.
“It should have happened sooner. It just makes people feel more comfortable. To have it in every bathroom [and] at least one men’s bathroom, just for everybody [is] very inclusive,” Kristin Cavender, a senior student at South High School, told The Epoch Times.
Agreeing with her, Mylee Viviannalynn, a freshman at the high school, said menstrual products are not affordable for all and it will help people who have financial hardships.
“It’s good that they’re doing that because not everyone has money to pay for things that they should already have,” said Viviannalynn.
Some students and parents have questioned the necessity of putting menstrual products in boys’ restrooms.
Subat Shahabidin, a sophomore at South High, told The Epoch Times that placing menstrual products in men’s bathrooms is a “waste of resources” as very few people will need them.
“[It’s] a complete waste if you’re putting menstrual products in men’s bathroom. That’s like maybe 1 percent of students, or maybe less, who’s even using that,” Shahabidin said.
A parent of a senior at Torrance Unified School, Summer Bailey, said putting menstrual products in boys’ restrooms is “ridiculous” because men do not menstruate.
“Those bathrooms are meant for biological males. Providing menstrual products in women’s bathrooms, I think, is ok,” Bailey told The Epoch Times.
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