​Period Support for Middle and High School Girls

Days for Girls, SW Boise Idaho Chapter, and the Idaho Period Project have joined together to put free period products in bathrooms statewide. To date, both organizations have placed either Go Aunt Flow free-vend dispensers or caddies filled with period products in 83 schools and 215 bathrooms and they are not stopping!

​The need for period products crosses all socioeconomic boundaries – regardless if their family is struggling or not. The goal is to keep girls in school and to lessen the embarrassment and stigma associated with menstruation. By ensuring access to feminine hygiene products, the students' overall mental and physical well-being improves. ​

On first meeting, every school pushes back with sustainable budget concerns. The nonprofit team provides product for three to four months and works with school administration, PTA/PTO  groups, and local churches to ensure that bathrooms are always stocked. People want to help – folks just have to be brave enough to ask! 

​​This natural, biological function normally begins before a girl turns 15. If she starts her period at school and is unprepared, she must ask a friend, go to the nurse (if they have one), school counselor, or front office. Then back to the bathroom to use the period product. This is an arduous process and adds to the negative stigma.

During the 2023 legislative session, the two organizations advocated for HB313 to put free period products in all 6th–12th grade girls’ bathrooms in Idaho. Unfortunately, it failed in a 35–35 vote on the House floor. They are not backing down and will bring the bill up again in the 2025 session. 

Content provided by INC member Idaho Period Project