EXCLUSIVE: 25 NYC schools to offer free feminine hygiene products, starting today https://t.co/y5iHic9Qpa pic.twitter.com/IPnfzv4EUT
— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) March 14, 2016
According to the NY Daily News, NYC public schools will begin educating young girls about menstruation and providing free feminine hygiene products, starting today.
NYC Public School students will have access to bathroom dispensers that will provide free tampons and sanitary napkins starting today.
The NY Daily News reports that girls at 25 public schools in NYC will get the items from bathroom dispensers starting Monday, March 14.
Roughly 11,600 girls will eventually get the free feminine hygiene products when the program is fully implemented to all public schools by March 31, Education Department officials said.
“Having easy access to feminine care products is essential,” said Deputy Schools Chancellor Elizabeth Rose. “This pilot marks a major step in providing additional resources to students in need.”
Julissa Ferreras-Copeland (D-Queens) worked with the Education Department to bring the dispensers to all middle schools and high schools in District 24 in Queens and District 9 in the Bronx.
“Girls in these districts face the greatest financial hardships,” Ferreras-Copeland said. “I want to ensure none of them lose class time, face illness or feel humiliated because their family cannot afford pads.”