Diman Voke to Provide Free Feminine Hygiene Products for Students
Access to menstrual products can be something we take for granted. We don’t think about it as we toss a pack of pads or tampons in the cart and go about our day. But for some, this can be difficult and Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School decided to do something about it.
Diman Voke wrote a post on Facebook regarding a recent decision to provide free feminine hygiene products for students in the bathrooms of the school.
“As we diligently prepare for a safe and successful school year, we continue our mission to create a safe learning environment for all students. If students do not feel safe, they will not learn. In that spirit, Diman pledges to provide free menstrual products in gender-neutral bathrooms and restrooms designated for females for the 2021 - 2022 school year.”
Although the school already offered free period products in the nurse’s office, the choice to have them in the bathrooms was made to make access to these items even easier without fear of anxiety.
Principal Rebello sent a letter to Governor Charlie Baker in an effort to make this change in all public schools within the Commonwealth, following the lead of other states like California, Illinois, New Hampshire, and New York. Rhode Island may be the next state to join the list, as Governor Daniel McKee signed the legislature to provide free feminine hygiene products in public schools last month.
"Having non-intrusive access to feminine hygiene products must be a fundamental right for every child," Rebello wrote.
Meg Rogers of United Way of Greater Fall River also commented on the decision.
“United Way of Greater Fall River is happy to hear that Diman will be providing menstrual hygiene products this school year to all students," Rogers said. "We support the work that YWCA and United Neighbors are doing to reduce period poverty and barriers to educational access for all students.”