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Women's Equity Movement Extends To Hygiene Product Legislation

Two female lawmakers are introducing legislation as part of a growing movement to help women achieve equity.

It’s called menstrual equity. It’s a growing movement that’s prompting legislation in Washington and in state capitals across the country, including several this year in Richmond.

One proposal is from Delegate Kaye Kory, a Democrat from Falls Church. It would require prisons to provide female hygiene products to prisoners at no cost. “It’s not right to charge them, especially charging prisoners who really don’t have much access to money at all. So it’s wrong. And we shouldn’t do it,” Kory said.

Another bill is from Delegate Jennifer Boysko, a Democrat from Herndon. It would eliminate the sales tax for feminine hygiene products. “A woman doesn’t have a choice whether or not she wants to buy menstrual products, and because she’s taxed on it that’s unfair and it’s discrimination and so it’s a parity issue and a fairness issue.”

During a legislative hearing in Fairfax, several leaders of a newly created nonprofit thanked Kory and Boysko for introducing the legislation. The organization is called Bringing Resources to Aid to Women’s Shelters, known by the acronym BRAWS.

This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.

Michael Pope is an author and journalist who lives in Old Town Alexandria.