Event Type
Round Table Discussion
Start Date
23-7-2021 2:15 PM
End Date
23-7-2021 3:00 PM
Description
Over half of the world’s population menstruates, and yet the health products necessary for menstruation are regularly criticized for not being easily available and being prohibitively expensive (specifically being unreasonably taxed). It also is not uncommon for those that menstruate to find themselves unpleasantly surprised by their period starting. The public services department of the health sciences library at the University of Utah advocated to use those funds for menstrual products that would be freely available in all six (four of which were gendered) bathrooms. After 18 months, and 250,000 patrons visiting the library, the cost to supply them averaged to only $22 per month. The campus Office of Diversity took up the cause and has made them available within every bathroom on campus, and the city is now making them freely available in public buildings and the airport. This success is now being followed up with a student-led grant proposal to make menstrual cups available for minimal cost to all students, staff or faculty interested in a more sustainable menstrual alternative. The round-table will provide everyone with data, advocacy skills, and points of debate to use to bring menstrual equity to your institution. The round-table format will allow everyone to workshop ideas to determine the best route of success for each individual institution. Everyone should have the right to care for themselves easily and without shame, and libraries have the chance to be at the forefront of this movement.
Menstrual Equity for $22 a month: How one health sciences library brought free menstrual products to an entire university
Over half of the world’s population menstruates, and yet the health products necessary for menstruation are regularly criticized for not being easily available and being prohibitively expensive (specifically being unreasonably taxed). It also is not uncommon for those that menstruate to find themselves unpleasantly surprised by their period starting. The public services department of the health sciences library at the University of Utah advocated to use those funds for menstrual products that would be freely available in all six (four of which were gendered) bathrooms. After 18 months, and 250,000 patrons visiting the library, the cost to supply them averaged to only $22 per month. The campus Office of Diversity took up the cause and has made them available within every bathroom on campus, and the city is now making them freely available in public buildings and the airport. This success is now being followed up with a student-led grant proposal to make menstrual cups available for minimal cost to all students, staff or faculty interested in a more sustainable menstrual alternative. The round-table will provide everyone with data, advocacy skills, and points of debate to use to bring menstrual equity to your institution. The round-table format will allow everyone to workshop ideas to determine the best route of success for each individual institution. Everyone should have the right to care for themselves easily and without shame, and libraries have the chance to be at the forefront of this movement.
