1 minute read
Fill ‘Em Up
BY MADISON KANE AND WILLA LEFKOWICZ OF JERECHO editors@antonnews.com
Social studies wing, empty. Guidance Office, empty. Nearby the English hallway, empty. Both All-gender restrooms, no dispensers. Locker room, no dispenser. After recently investigating each girls and all-gender bathroom in the high school for one week, only four out of seven restrooms had menstruation hygiene product dispensers installed, and only one of those dispensers was filled.
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Empty dispensers are in violation of a 2018 bill passed in New York, which “requires that all female-designated bathrooms in the state of New York produce feminine hygiene products at no cost.”
In order to determine Jericho High School’s adherence to this law, we checked the dispensers in each bathroom every school day from Sept. 12 and Oct. 17, as well as periodic check-ins between those weeks. We concluded that no change had been made during this time period. A number of problems arise for students when feminine product dispensers in bathrooms are empty. Tampons and pads are an expense that not everyone can afford.
According to The Washington Post, a box of tampons typically costs between $5 and $8, depending on the item count.
Another problem is when a student experiences an immediate need for these products. Sophomore Samara B. said, “I think that it’s pointless to have dispensers because what’s the point of having them if there are no tampons? What if I have an emergency?”
Embarrassment is a major concern for students. Student Council Co-president and senior Ruby S. said, “If the dispensers are always empty, then I’m not able to get the products that I need, and I end up bleeding through which is embarrassing for everyone, not only myself but anyone that sees me.”
When this issue was brought to the attention of Assistant Principal Dr. Finlay, she was astounded that the feminine product dispensers were empty in nearly every bathroom, and was disappointed to learn that there wasn’t a dispenser installed in the all-gender bathrooms. She said, “In the Jericho spirit of always going above and
