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Free Menstrual Products in Idaho Schools Blocked by GOP Women

Menstrual products schools
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Free Menstrual Products in Idaho Schools Blocked by GOP Women

Republicans in the Idaho House of Representatives blocked a bill that would have supplied free menstrual products to public school students in grades 6-12, calling it “liberal” and “woke.”

Women Republicans in the Idaho House of Representatives blocked a bill that would have supplied free menstrual products to public school students in grades 6-12, calling it “liberal” and “woke.”


This year, the state of Idaho is projected to have a revenue surplus of $1.4 billion, according to The Hill. Providing public schools with menstrual products would cost $300,00 per year — $3.50 per student — after a $435,000 installment cost. Schools in Idaho already provide free toilet paper, soap, and other hygiene products for students.

The bill was sponsored by Republican Rod Furniss, who emphasized it would benefit low-income girls, as those who cannot afford period products often skip school on those days to avoid embarrassment.

“It’s not a lot of money in the state’s budget,” Furniss said in a committee hearing. “Today is a step to preserve womanhood, to give it a chance to start right, to not be embarrassed or feel alienated or ashamed, or to feel like they need to stay home from school due to period poverty.”

According to the Idaho Period Project, one in every five East Idaho girls experience period poverty. In the United States, one in four students who menstruate have trouble accessing supplies, according to a survey from Alliance for Period Supplies, who also reports that only fifteen states and Washing D.C. have passed laws guaranteeing students access to menstrual products.

Idaho's legislation was struck down Monday after a tied 35-35 vote, with ten of the nays from conservative women. Republican Barbara Ehardt said that using language such as “period poverty” and “menstrual equity” constituted “woke terms.” Heather Scott added that the bill was a “very liberal policy" that was turning Idaho into a "nanny state," and that schools are "obsessed with the private parts of our children."

Avrey Hendrix, the founder of the Idaho Period Project, told The Daily Beast that it was both alarming and disappointing to see women deny others free menstrual products.

“It’s so shocking,” she said. “Because they know what it’s like to go into the bathroom and not have a tampon.”

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Ryan Adamczeski

Digital Director

Ryan is the Digital Director of The Advocate Channel, and a graduate of New York University Tisch's Department of Dramatic Writing, with a focus in television writing and comedy. She is also a member of GALECA, the LGBTQ+ society of entertainment critics.

Ryan is the Digital Director of The Advocate Channel, and a graduate of New York University Tisch's Department of Dramatic Writing, with a focus in television writing and comedy. She is also a member of GALECA, the LGBTQ+ society of entertainment critics.