Better Products for Incarcerated Women!
Jersey City, NJ–
Assemblywoman Jessica Ramirez (D-32) has introduced a bill which would provide access to menstrual products of varying absorbency levels for incarcerated women.
While menstrual products are currently available in New Jersey prisons, there is no guaranteed access to products that have sufficient absorbency levels. For women with issues such as PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), endometriosis, or even women with just a heavy flow, products with low absorbency levels are not suitable. Bill A5172 would require these products to be freely accessible.
“Our incarcerated population is incredibly vulnerable,” says Ramirez. “Access to menstrual products which have a variety of absorbency levels should not be a luxury. This is basic hygiene – it’s a human right.”
The bill idea was given to Ramirez by Eiko La Boria. La Boria is a constituent of Ramirez and founder of The Flow Initiative, a Jersey City-based nonprofit dedicated to menstrual equity and ending period poverty.
“I’m deeply grateful to Asw. Ramirez for her extraordinary leadership on this bill to ensure dignity, mercy, and hygiene for incarcerated women. This bill deserves bipartisan support—periods are biological, not political.”
Majority Leader Ruiz is the bill sponsor on the Senate side.
It is estimated that 10-15% of women experience endometriosis, and 5-10% of women experience PCOS. These statistics underscore the need to ensure that all who need menstrual hygiene products can access them.
