As someone who has experienced the dread of being caught off guard by an unexpected period in school, I understand the anxiety and discomfort it can cause. This is a common situation for many students across Iowa, disrupting their focus on education and creating unnecessary stress. Period poverty is a real issue that affects numerous students who may not have access to menstrual products when they need them most.

In the United States, nearly 1 in 5 girls have missed school due to lack of period protection (Always Confidence & Puberty Wave VI Study). This statistic underscores the urgent need for change. By providing free menstrual products in all Iowa schools' restrooms, we can combat period poverty and ensure that no student's education suffers because of their biological needs.

We are calling on our school officials and local government to require Des Moines schools to provide free menstrual products in their restrooms. Let's help our students focus on what truly matters - their education - without worrying about something as natural as menstruation.

Please sign this petition if you believe that access to menstrual hygiene products should be a right, not a privilege.