| abstract |
What does a successful approach to passing menstrual product access legislation for
incarcerated women tell us about the strength of the menstrual equity movement? How do we
build toward effective legislation and enforcement? The menstrual equity movement is a recent
social movement which advocates for government funding of menstrual products for three
vulnerable populations: unhoused women, students, and incarcerated women and seeks to fight
menstrual stigma through awareness. In this thesis, I focus on menstrual equity for incarcerated
women, a human rights and dignity issue. The issue of menstrual product (MP)1 access has only
been brought to the attention of society and government in the past decade. Following the
passage of New York City's comprehensive menstrual equity legislation in 2016 and the federal
First Step Act in 2018, 25 states have also passed legislation guaranteeing MP to incarcerated
women. I look at menstrual equity as a social movement and its efforts to pass a legislative
agenda guaranteeing MP access for incarcerated women. In particular, I analyze Missouri as a
case study to highlight a lacking aspect of menstrual equity, a successful conservative strategy
and frame to passing MP access legislation. I discuss the lessons the broader menstrual equity
movement can learn from Missouri's approach, even though Missouri is only in conversation
with the movement and not a part of the broader movement. The case study reinforces the
bipartisan support behind MP access for incarcerated women and proves the need for the
menstrual equity movement to adapt its initial frame and strategy past its New York City origins.
The menstrual equity movement has made great strides in passing legislation guaranteeing MP
access but the movement must contend with systemic oppression and menstrual taboos.
1 Abbreviation for menstrual products
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