Free period products in schools give girls security, dignity | Opinion

Read full article by AWAKE student volunteer on Knoxnews.com

If you walk into any high school in Tennessee, there is almost a 100% chance that you will find free toilet paper and soap in the girls' bathrooms.

However, there is a slim chance that you will find free period products. Why is that? Every time I ask this question, I am told one reason: It is too expensive. But in my experience, this is simply not true.

I am a junior in high school and I have been fighting for free period products in the girls’ bathrooms for the past two years with the group I founded, Free Period Knox (on Instagram @freeperiodknox).

Fourteen percent of Tennesseans live below the poverty line, and I know from experience that many of the girls at my school and across the state do not have access to period products because of this. When you come from a family struggling to keep groceries on the table, buying pads or tampons won’t be a priority, and that leaves so many girls vulnerable.

Many nurses have pads in their offices, but it is inconvenient and embarrassing to have to ask a teacher to go to the nurse. It cuts class time and leads to unwanted questions from teachers and other students.

Since August, there have been free period products in the bathrooms at many Knox County high schools. This has allowed students to get the products they need without feeling embarrassed. Last week, a sophomore told me that she felt like having the period products in the bathroom made her feel like the school cared about her. I think this is true for a lot of people, including myself. The products in our bathrooms add to our school community and they make us feel more comfortable in a place that can sometimes feel hostile.

Additionally, having these products in our school bathrooms costs less than expected. When estimating the cost of these products, most people assume that every girl will be using these products. This is not true. Most girls still bring their own.

Also, because Knox County Schools buys in bulk, it costs only around $57.44 on average for a box of 250 pads. We, as a student body, use the products only when we need them and that is why this program has been so successful. It makes sure everyone has the supplies they need to stay healthy.

Additionally, having these products in our school bathrooms costs less than expected. When estimating the cost of these products, most people assume that every girl will be using these products. This is not true. Most girls still bring their own.

Also, because Knox County Schools buys in bulk, it costs only around $57.44 on average for a box of 250 pads. We, as a student body, use the products only when we need them and that is why this program has been so successful. It makes sure everyone has the supplies they need to stay healthy.

I urge everyone to reach out to their local representatives and ask them to vote “yes” on this bill, so that no girl has to choose between her education and her health.

Aya Aghel is a junior at West High School. She and other students with Free Period Knox are pushing to make period products available for free in all Tennessee high schools.