Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes an appropriation to the Department of Recreation and Parks to provide menstrual products in its restrooms at all 29 recreation centers. A national study commissioned by Free the Tampons, a Columbus based nonprofit that aims to end restroom inequality, found that 86 percent of women have started their periods while out in public without the supplies they need. Seventy nine percent end up creating a makeshift (and poor) substitute out of toilet paper. The total amount is $14,000.00.
Emergency action is necessary to avoid causing interruptions in the delivery of program services.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for this expenditure is allocated from the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund ($14,000.00).
Title
To authorize an appropriation in the Neighborhood Initiatives Fund to the Department of Recreation and Parks to provide funding to make menstrual products free and accessible in restrooms of recreation centers; and to declare an emergency. ($14,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Recreation and Parks desires to make menstrual products free and accessible to all menstruators who utilize the city’s recreation centers; and
WHEREAS, toilet paper and other sanitary products are universally expected, while tampons and pads are rarely, if ever, provided; and
WHEREAS, a national study commissioned by Free the Tampons, a Columbus-based nonprofit that aims to end restroom inequality, found that 86 percent of menstruators have started their periods while out in public without the supplies they need; and
WHEREAS, 79 percent of those menstruators end up creating makeshift and poor substitutes out of toilet paper when menstrual products are unavailable; and
WHEREAS, access to menstrual products prevents infection caused by inadequate access to or overuse of singular menstrual products; and
WHEREAS, access to menstrual products has been shown to improve the lives of young menstruators by increasing school attendance, redu...
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