Real Women of Gaming

It is not a secret that menstrual products are incredibly costly. For many people who menstruate this can be a huge financial weight for one week a month. If you have more then one person who is also menstruating that is even more money that cannot be put toward other necessities. That can be very difficult for many households. Don’t believe me, go walk down that aisle of any store. Think about what that money could go toward instead, particularly since not every person has the same flow. Meaning some people pay considerably more for multiple products. 

New Jersey has joined 10 other states and the District of Columbia who are helping families with this financial burden. In August it was passed that the state would bear the costs to provide schools with these products. These products would have to be available in the female and gender-neutral restrooms. The bill was passed with only one “no” vote which is impressive. 

Governor Phil Murphy helped push the bill through. It will require that menstrual products be made available, at no extra cost to the students, from grades six through 12. When asked about the ruling Murphy stated the measure is aimed at promoting equity “at every level” in the state.

“When students can’t access the menstrual products they need for their reproductive health, the potential stress and stigma too often distracts them from their classes or forces them to skip school entirely,” he said.

This requirement will affect about 1,400 schools. The Office of Legislation has estimated that this should cost between $1.8 million and $3.5 million for the first full school year and from $1.4 million to $2.9 million in subsequent years. With the state’s $54.3 billion budget this really won’t be a hindrance for the state. 

As a person who does menstruate I have to agree with those who say that these products are not a luxury. They are a necessity. To be able to do, well, anything you need these products. This is a fantastic way to help make sure that students who menstruate are able to go to school. Their families will have some financial burden taken off. Those students whose families really can’t afford as much will be able to get them for when they are in school and that will be a large burden taken off of those students. 

For more information you can check here on the official site for New Jersey. 

ALWAYS KEEP SPARKLING!!!