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Sometimes it can seem you have to pay extra for just being a woman. Pads and tampons will cost the average woman, $18,171.00 over the course of her lifetime. Socioeconomic status can make a period, quite embarrassing, for a woman that can’t afford the products. Furthermore, many women believe that we shouldn’t have to be economically punished by “paying” to take care of something that comes naturally.

New York City Mayor, Bill de Blasio has sided with women and on Wednesday, signed into legislation, free menstrual products in all NYC schools, shelters, and jails.

“There should be no stigma around something as fundamental as menstruation. These laws recognize that feminine hygiene products are a necessity — not a luxury.” ~ Mayor Bill de Blasio

This legislation makes New York City the first in the nation to provide free menstruation products for women in many public places. The new laws will provide feminine products for over 300,000 girls in schools and over 23,000 NYC women living in shelters. Jails already provide free tampons and pads; however, distribution and availability have been inadequate. These new laws will require jails to provide these products to incarcerated women, immediately, upon request.

The next move is to take this NYC law and utilize it to implement a statewide law that no longer taxes menstrual products. According to the New York Times, Governor Cuomo is expected to sign the bill into law later this year.

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A Win For Women: NYC Mayor Makes Feminine Products Free For Schools, Jails, And Shelters  was originally published on hellobeautiful.com