More Cities Take On ‘Period Poverty’ As a Way to Keep Kids in School

Many girls can’t afford the cost of menstrual products every month and end up staying home, missing class. Providence, Rhode Island has taken on this issue head on, seeing it as an equity issue for its mostly low income students. They have joined an increasing number of school districts, cities and states that offer free period products in schools for students who might need or can’t afford them. Officials say tackling this once taboo subject, is part of a strategy to keep children in school, healthy and ready to learn. It’s part of an effort to end what’s been called “period poverty.”