2024-05-03T03:46:44-04:00 https://archinect.com/news/article/149953539/nyc-becomes-first-city-to-provide-free-tampons-and-pads-in-public-schools-prisons-and-shelters Nicholas Korody 2016-06-23T14:19:00-04:00 >2019-01-05T12:31:03-05:00 <img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/s2/s27efsw99sgx8ce2.jpg?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><em><p>Today, the New York City Council unanimously&nbsp;passed a set of bills requiring free menstrual-hygiene products in public schools, prisons, and shelters, making it&nbsp;the first city in the nation to pass so-called "menstrual equity" legislation.&nbsp;The city will budget for tampons and pads just like it does for toilet paper and hand soap.</p></em><br /><br /><p><em>"Tampons and pads are not currently covered by public-assistance programs and some school-aged girls stay home or use products longer than they should when they get their periods. Women in prisons face rationing and degrading treatment from corrections officers."</em></p><p>For more public health-related news, check out these links:</p><ul><li><a href="http://archinect.com/news/article/149944855/billions-exposed-to-dangerous-air-as-pollution-grows-at-alarming-rates-around-the-world" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Billions exposed to dangerous air as pollution grows at alarming rates around the world</a></li><li><a href="http://archinect.com/news/article/149934807/the-designers-reinventing-a-visit-to-planned-parenthood" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The designers reinventing a visit to Planned Parenthood</a></li><li><a href="http://archinect.com/news/article/141016474/sick-people-in-scandinavia-can-check-into-these-patient-hotels-as-hospital-alternatives" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sick people in Scandinavia can check into these "patient hotels" as hospital alternatives</a></li><li><a href="http://archinect.com/news/article/149937477/mapping-transgender-friendly-bathrooms-in-hostile-north-carolina" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mapping transgender-friendly bathrooms in hostile North Carolina</a></li></ul>