ISSA – The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association and Hygieia Network believe menstrual care solutions should be as available in away from home bathrooms as soap, toilet paper, and paper towels. Far too few facilities consider the impact of their patrons being left unprepared while away from home should someone’s period come unexpectedly. We believe no one should be without easy access to necessary period products and disposal solutions when they are needed.
The Facts About Period Poverty
According to the Alliance for Period Supplies, “One in three low-income women report missing work, school or similar events due to lack of access to period supplies. These instances were linked to reported feelings of embarrassment, disappointment and depression. Lack of access to period supplies is also linked to stretching product usage and using substitute products like toilet tissue or even socks.”
According to State of the Period 2021, a study commissioned by Thinx & PERIOD, “84% (more than 4 in 5 teens) have either missed class time or know someone who missed class time because they did not have access to period products.”
A survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of the Free the Tampon Foundation found, “86% of women have started their period unexpectedly in public without supplies. Of those women, 62% reported going to a store immediately to buy menstrual products at least once. 34% reported going home at least in one instance when getting their period unexpectedly.”
What We’re Fighting For
ISSA is working to help solve the issue of period poverty by advocating for public policies to help increase access to menstrual care products, dispensers, and disposal solutions in away from home venues. We are also educating and engaging the cleaning industry community about these period poverty issues as well as provide proper training related to removing potentially harmful bacteria and blood-borne pathogens in bathroom facilities.
If you would like to learn more about and be involved in these efforts, please contact ISSA Director of Government Affairs John Nothdurft at [email protected]. Sponsorship opportunities are available.
Take Action
Contact Your Legislator
Far too few facilities consider the impact of their students being left unprepared if their period comes unexpectedly. If you believe period products should be as available in away-from-home bathrooms as soap, toilet paper, and paper towels, please take a moment to let your members of Congress and state elected officials know by selecting your state below: (Note: if your state isn’t listed, use “other”)
Sign Up for End Period Poverty Alerts
Help us end period poverty and advocate for period dignity! Sign-up to receive related alerts and news so you can stay informed and up-to-date on this issue.
Contribute To Our Cause
Your investment today in this cause ensures that we have the resources necessary to effectively advocate for period dignity. Your contribution will directly support the targeted grassroots advocacy, lobbying, issue education, coalition building, public relations, and research activities necessary to advance period dignity in Washington, DC and throughout the 50 states.
Highlights
Menstrual care products are a basic necessity, yet not everyone who needs these products has access to them. Accordingly, ISSA proudly sponsored the fifth annual Women in Government Relations (WGR) Period Product Drive through the month of October 2023.
Stay up-to-date on the latest legislative activity and progress ISSA is making with our Period Project, state-by-state. View live data, bill counts, policy descriptions, and more!
ISSA believes that menstrual-care solutions should be as available in away-from-home bathrooms as soap, toilet paper, and paper towels. Accordingly, in October 2022, the association launched its End Period Poverty Campaign in partnership with the ISSA Hygieia Network, an ISSA Charities™ signature program dedicated to the advancement and retention of women in the cleaning industry
Supporting Companies
Period Partner Champion
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Period Partner
