HomeMy WebLinkAboutPeriod Povery Awareness Weekft 0 r T oe Fp
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roctàmatIon
WHEREAS period poverty - the lack of access or inability to afford sanitary
products and lack of menstrual hygiene education - is a public health matter, and
addressing the issue can lead to economic opportunity for our island community and
improved health for women, girls, and gender diverse individuals who menstruate,
thus ensuring all people have access to the basic necessities required to thrive and
reach their full potential; and
WHEREAS local surveys and research in 2021 by the Hawai'i State
Commission on the Status of Women and Ma'i Movement Hawai'i report that half of
respondents missed work or school because of their period; and
WHEREAS period poverty is an "invisible barrier" to gender equality in
Hawai'i and attributable to systemic problems, which can be addressed by engaging
decision-makers to increase political priority and catalyze action; and
WHEREAS access to comprehensive education and period-friendly sanitation
facilities for women, girls, and gender diverse individuals who menstruate is essential
to ensuring no one is held back because of menstruation; and
WHEREAS the global goal to end period poverty is 2030 and the State and
County of Hawai'i are committed to joining the world in this goal with the support of
trusted community-based organizations such as Ma'i Movement Hawai'i, that
recognize the importance of period products, education, and advocacy in ensuring
health and providing economic stability.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, MITCHELL D. ROTH, Mayor of the County of
Hawai'i, do hereby proclaim the week of May 23 — 29, 2022 as
PERIOD POVERTY AWARENESS WEEK
and encourage the people of Hawai'i County to join in raising awareness of period
poverty, recognize the importance of ensuring health and hygiene for all people who
menstruate, and support community-based efforts for collecting and distributing period
products to those struggling with period poverty.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused The Seal
of the County of Hawai`i to be affixed. Done this 23rd day of May 2022 in Hilo,
Hawai`i.
MITCHELL D. ROTH
MAYOR