HARRISBURG, PA — The Shapiro Administration has made a groundbreaking $3 million investment to ensure students in Pennsylvania schools have free access to menstrual products. The funding, distributed across all school districts, intermediate units, career and technical centers, and brick-and-mortar charter schools, aims to foster health equity and remove barriers to education.
“With easy access to free menstrual products in school, students don’t need to miss out on educational opportunities just because they got their period,” stated Acting Interim Secretary of Education Angela Fitterer. “This first-time investment will make a real difference in the lives of Pennsylvania students, and I look forward to working with the General Assembly to maintain this program.”
The initiative, part of the 2024-25 Feminine Hygiene Product Grant Program, has already delivered impactful results statewide. Schools have utilized the funding to install free product dispensers, stock bathrooms with supplies, and directly support students in need. Certified school nurse Bridgett Bilenski of North Allegheny School District emphasized the program’s benefits, noting that it “helps to eliminate embarrassment, build confidence, and promote school attendance.”
Health equity also stands at the heart of the program. “Pennsylvania’s students should be free to focus on learning and not be worried about having menstrual hygiene products when they have their period,” said Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen. “This public health initiative gets people talking openly about menstrual hygiene, which goes a long way to reducing the stigma historically associated with periods.”
From equitable bathroom access to promoting dignity and inclusivity, the investment has created a lasting impact on student health and educational outcomes across the Commonwealth.
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