Part of Johnson County Public Library’s mission is connecting people with resources. Recently the library has partnered with Girls Inc. of Johnson County, or GIJC, to collect period products to distribute through Johnson County schools, food pantries, non-profit organizations, detention centers and jails.
As part of a staff initiative JCPL already provides emergency period products in its public women’s restrooms at no cost. Last year the Girls Inc. National organization began highlighting period product poverty and period shame. That led the local organization to launch a drive to collect unopened packages of tampons, pads, panty liners and underwear packages.
Period poverty is a struggle many faces in affording menstrual products and increased economic vulnerability due to the financial burden of menstrual supplies. According to a Girls Inc. National organization study, 16.9 million menstruating people live in poverty in the United States. Another 500 million lack access to menstrual and hygiene products worldwide.
Lacking access to these personal products can lead to missing school, work, social events and even experiencing embarrassment. Some states, like Indiana, collect sales tax on period products. In contrast, a few states have removed the tax in the last few years, and others are considering it. Not having period products covered by EBT benefits, Medicare and Medicaid can be another barrier.
Menstruation is a natural biological process. We hope JCPL’s partnership with Girls Inc. will begin to address period poverty and normalize conversations around menstruation to reduce stigma and discrimination.
We are proud that this partnership will collect items essential to so many people in Johnson County. Please help Girls Inc. and JCPL by dropping off your donations at any JCPL location or the Girls Inc. Center at 200 E. Madison St. in Franklin now through the end of December.
Heather Grantham, is a Children’s Services Librarian at Franklin Branch Library. JCPL staff members share in writing this twice-monthly column for the Daily Journal. Send comments to [email protected].
