By Emily Eason

Abstract: I studied a course on social identity and public policy, which prompted me to reflect on my own identity as a woman. I chose to research menstruation, a topic that affects me personally. I found that menstrual equity policies vary globally, with some countries having more equitable policies regarding menstruation products, prices, and education, while others have less equitable ones. In my paper, I discuss how these policies affect different social identities, the history of menstrual stigma, the global spectrum of policies, and propose recommendations to address menstrual inequalities worldwide. It is crucial to recognize that hindering menstruators from safely managing their periods is discriminatory and a violation of human rights, as menstruation is a natural bodily function that predates social constructs.