house resolution no.113

Reps. Yancey, Kennedy, Anthony, Garrett, Brixie, Hood, Rabhi, Hoadley, Ellison, Gay-Dagnogo, Coleman, Pagan, Robinson, Peterson, Cambensy, Love, Chirkun, Elder, Garza, Haadsma, Hope, Kuppa, Lasinski, Liberati, Shannon, Sneller, Sowerby, Warren and Witwer offered the following resolution:

A resolution to declare May 28, 2019, as Menstrual Hygiene Day in the state of Michigan.

Whereas, Menstrual Hygiene Day serves to increase public awareness of the need to ensure women and girls are able to maintain healthy menstruation practices; and

Whereas, Menstrual Hygiene Day is also a new effort to destigmatize women’s menstrual cycles, and advocate for better access to feminine hygiene products for females who may otherwise be forced to resort to less sanitary options; and

Whereas Menstrual hygiene is a worldwide issue. Women and girls around the world face different challenges in managing their menstruation depending on social norms, customs, geography, and education; and

Whereas, Taboos and negative social norms surrounding menstruation are perpetuated by society as a whole. Therefore, creating an inclusive conversation with women and girls, as well as boys and men, is critical to create understanding and foster a supportive and healthy environment in menstrual health; and

Whereas, In late 2015 Michigan experienced a dramatic increase of toxic shock syndrome cases, which can be caused from extended use of super absorbent tampons. In late 2015, five cases were reported. The previous ten years averaged four cases total, so it is important to raise awareness of the risks of improper menstrual hygiene so that these types of cases can be prevented, now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare May 28, 2019, as Menstrual Hygiene Day in the state of Michigan; and be it further

Resolved, That the members of this legislative body encourage all Michiganders to recognize the importance of menstrual health and access to feminine hygiene products and to start a conversation to recognize that menstruation is not a taboo and menstrual health is key for women and girls’ health and wellbeing everywhere.