Study reveals majority of Colorado female teens have missed school due
to lack of period products
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DENVER, April 23,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Denver nonprofit Justice Necessary unveils
data from its latest study on teen period poverty in Colorado, shedding light on a deeply
concerning issue. The findings of this study underscore the urgent
need for action to address the need for teens to have access to
period products in schools.
Key highlights from the study include:
- 80% of female teens in Colorado have missed class due to lack of
period products.
- 90% of female teens in Colorado have started their periods
unexpectedly in public without proper period products.
- 66% of female teens in Colorado have missed opportunities to
participate in before and after school activities, including
studying with peers, due to a lack of period products.
"The pursuit of student learning and engagement is a shared
objective. Ensuring students have access to fully stocked restrooms
facilitates this crucial endeavor," said Justice Necessary Founder
and President Diane Cushman Neal.
"Justice Necessary is dedicated to ensuring students have access to
period products year-round allowing students to participate in all
school activities as well as extracurricular activities and not
miss any time in the classroom, because access to period products,
just is necessary!"
To better understand the needs of students, The Colorado Teen
Period Poverty Study also asked teens how access could be improved.
Here are a few of their responses:
"Having it [period products] in public restrooms in buildings
like libraries, schools, and stores."
"I think they [the schools] should have machines in the
school bathrooms so when we start our period we can just grab a
tampon or pad from the bathroom instead of having to go to the
nurse."
"They [period products] are needed just like toilet
paper."
In April, Justice Necessary is hosting five-period packing
parties, providing more than 300,000 period products for
Colorado students ensuring they
have what they need throughout the summer.
Join Justice Necessary on April
26 and April 27 in
conjunction with the Aurora Police
Community Outreach and Aunt Flow to pack one-month period
bags for students at Aurora and
Cherry Creek School Districts, Aurora
Community College, as well as Amigos de Mexico, and The Salvation Army. The Aurora
Community Period Packing Party will be held each day from
9 a.m.- 3 p.m. at The Salvation Army
Emergency Warehouse (11701 E. 33rd Ave. #1426, Aurora, CO 80010). To learn more or to sign
up, go to https://justicenecessary.org/get-involved.
ABOUT JUSTICE NECESSARY
Founded in 2020 by Diane Cushman
Neal, Justice Necessary is a Colorado nonprofit dedicated to combating
period poverty and hygiene poverty in Colorado communities. They work throughout
Colorado to deliver essential
hygiene products to address immediate needs, while also focusing on
community engagement, continuity of products, education, and
legislative support. Since its inception, Justice Necessary has
provided more than 4,550,000 organic period products, more than
245,000 basic hygiene products, and more than 195,000 eco-friendly
diapers and wipes. Justice Necessary is running the "Free Menstrual
Products to Students" legislation in the 2024 legislative session
to ensure access to period products for Colorado's middle and high school
students.
Learn more at justicenecessary.org. For an interview with the
Justice Necessary team, contact Emily
Tracy at Prim + Co. at emily.t@primtheagency.com or
919.449.4803.
Contact: Emily Tracy
Prim + Co.
919.449.4803
emily.t@primtheagency.com
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SOURCE Justice Necessary