Social equity & health
Menstrual Equity
Definition
Menstrual equity refers to the affordability, accessibility and safety of menstrual products for all people, together with laws and policies that acknowledge and accommodate menstruation. It responds to period poverty — the inability to afford or access products, facilities and education — which causes missed school and work and undermines health and dignity.
References
Supports definition and framing.
Supports definition and framing.
Overview
What it means
Policy levers include free products in schools, prisons and shelters; removal of sales taxes on menstrual products (the "tampon tax"); and provision in workplaces and public facilities. As of January 2026, 27 US states and Washington D. C. had passed laws furthering access to free products in schools.
How it is used
Advocacy organisations, governments and employers use the term to frame product provision, taxation reform and facility standards; it links to SDG 4 (education), SDG 5 (gender equality) and SDG 6 (water and sanitation).
Why it matters
Period poverty affects educational attainment, employment participation and health; menstrual equity turns a historically hidden barrier into an explicit policy and workplace agenda.