Everyone deserves to live in a healthy and safe environment. That environment includes where you live, work, play, and pray. We reject and actively push back against racist rhetoric, actions, policies and institutional oppression that leads to state-sanctioned brutality, gun violence, and harm that again and again assaults communities, particularly communities of color. We are committed to working for justice and equity, and are in solidarity with social, racial, and environmental justice organizations to build community, understanding and honest dialogue to address the root causes of violence, harm and hate.

What Does Menstrual Equity Mean to You?

What is Menstrual Equity?

The most commonly recognized definition refers to the affordability, accessibility and safety of menstrual products. But menstrual equity is not just defined by products — it is also about education and reproductive care. It’s about making sure that people have the needs, support, and choices to decide how they want to take care of their menstrual health. And it’s about finally ending the stigma around periods that has prevented not only decision-makers, but also healthcare providers, educators and individuals from ensuring that menstrual health is a priority.

But we know it’s more than that. In fact, the definition is growing and changing, as voices from all over the world continue the conversation about period health, product access, affordability, education and safety.

So let’s keep talking. Let’s keep acting. Let’s keep leading…

Bookmark this page to your favorites. Here we share ongoing resources, actions, and events focused on menstrual equity and period health where you can learn, listen and lead. We pull together news articles and headlines so we can see how the media is covering period health. And we share your stories, and our stories. We’ll continue to populate this page your posts from Instagram, Twitter, Facebook using hashtags #myperiodNOshame and #MenstrualEquity.

Moving the Mainstream!

The culture of shame that surrounds periods and reproductive health is changing – thanks to so many dedicated activists, advocates, organizations, researchers, reporters and forward-thinking businesses. And thanks to you. But there is still more work to be done! The more we can help get the conversation into the mainstream, the more we can move the mainstream!

What Does Menstrual Equity Mean to You?

We want to hear from you! Please DOWNLOAD and PRINT this flyer. Write a few thoughts on what menstrual equity means to you, snap a pic & post on Instagram, Facebook, or simply email it to us at womensvoices@womensvoices.org. Include hashtags #myperiodnoshame and #menstrualequity so we can find your post and share it here!

#myperiodNOshame

Period Stories

Every story is different. Whether it’s your first period, last, or one somewhere in between, we’d love to hear about it! If you’d like to share a story with the WVE community, please click here to submit your story!.

I got my first period when I was 12 after my family and I moved to the United States from Chile...

 I wasn’t extremely thrilled about what was happening. I was actually really annoyed since it had come a whole year earlier than it was supposed  to, according to my doctor who predicted I would get it when I was 13.  I believe the stress of moving to a new country, learning a new language, making new friends, and eating different foods caused my period to show up a lot earlier than expected.

– Maria Ignacia Miranda Santis, WVE’s Program & Outreach Manager

I remember scouring the internet trying to find out whether what I was experiencing was normal...

I was raised in a very quiet family, where there wasn’t much discussion and especially not of matters like menstruation and sex. When I started my period in seventh grade, I was surprised, disgusted and fascinated by my body. I remember scouring the internet trying to find out whether what I was experiencing was normal. Today, I have cultivated an appreciation for my cycle, and I relish being part of an organization where we talk about our periods loudly and proudly.

– Robyn Windham, WVE’s Director of Development

VIDEOS: How to Use Tampons, Pads
and Menstrual Cups

Menstrual Equity tends to focus largely on period products and their accessibility to menstruators. However, and as we have noticed from hosting Our Stories, Our Flow workshops a lot of people who menstruate, due to a lack of sexual education, don’t necessarily know how to use some menstrual products. So, in order to alleviate this and to continue to educate people on the period products available to them, we created some videos on how to use pads, tampons and menstrual cups. These are not all of the period products available for people to use, but they are some of the most commonly known and used options.

In general, when deciding what period products to use, look for products that say “fragrance-free” and are “unbleached” or “chlorine-free”. Fragrance ingredients are usually undisclosed and often contain chemicals of concern. Not to mention, they are completely unnecessary in these products. Whatever you smell like on your period, it’s normal!

More to Love

There are a number of other fantastic individuals, organizations & movements that are working hard on menstrual equity issues, policy and culture shifts. Here are a few we want to uplift. Let’s keep growing this list! Tell us – who are some of your favorites?

Black Women for Wellness
Black Women’s Health Imperative
Code Red Co.
Days for Girls
#HappyPeriod
Flo Code

HEJSupport
Korean Women’s Environmental Network
The Kwek Society
Love Your Menses
Menstrual Hygiene Day
Period Equity & Jennifer Weiss-Wolf

Period Positive
Sending Her Essentials
Turning Green
WE ACT for Environmental Justice
Women’s Environmental Network (WEN)

Additional Resources

Menstrual Care and Personal Care Products
What’s in Period Products? Timeline of Chemical Testing
Nanosilver in Period Care Products
Quats and Other Chemicals of Concern in Antibacterial Sex Toy Cleaners
Vaginal Douching Linked to Higher Levels of Phthalates – Study
Genital Washes with FDA Prohibited Dyes
Vaginal Wipes: How a little wipe does more harm than good
2018 Tampon Testing Results
Slippery Slope: Potential Hazards of Lubricants for Women

Policy
Menstrual Products Right to Know Act
Safe Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Act (HR 4296)
Menstrual Equity for All Act 
Robin Danielson Feminine Hygiene Safety Act
Tampon Tax Litigation Actions
+ more state policies throughout the U.S. 

EXPLORE MORE ISSUES >>

Show Buttons
Hide Buttons