City of Boston Expands Menstrual Equity Initiative Citywide

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu announced the citywide expansion of the Menstrual Equity Initiative, which will provide free menstrual products to residents. The program began as a pilot in 2023 at six Boston Public Library branches and aims to address period poverty while ensuring equitable access to menstrual health resources. Alongside product distribution, the initiative will include community workshops focused on menstrual education, hosted in partnership with Love Your Menses, Inc. Chief of Equity and Inclusion Mariangely Solis Cervera highlighted the program's transformative impact, noting that access to menstrual products enables students to stay in school and workers to maintain their shifts. The announcement was made on National Menstrual Hygiene Day during a public event featuring community engagement activities.

Free menstrual products will also be available at Boston Centers for Youth & Families facilities this fall. The initiative will include staff training for city employees to foster open conversations about menstrual health. This expansion reflects the urgent need expressed by residents for improved access to menstrual resources.