Hey boys and girls and friends beyond the gender binary, it’s everyone’s favorite period advocacy librarian here to talk about Period Action Day. Period Action Day (a.k.a PAD) is a global day of awareness that occurs on the second Saturday of October every year. PAD was established in 2019 to “end period poverty and stigma through advocacy, education, and service.”
Period poverty is the inability to afford period products, lack of access to safe and clean places to perform menstrual care, and the inability to receive accurate information about the menstrual process. Periods can be stressful even when you are financially stable because there may be worries about accidents and pain management. Lack of access to period protection products only adds to the emotional and physical burdens of menstruation. Nearly 1 in 4 students have struggled to afford period products in the United States, with 44% of teens reporting stress and embarrassment due to a lack of access to period products.
Branches across the Brooklyn Public Library system will be hosting fun and educational programs to assist in fighting period poverty in Brooklyn this week. The programs will be open to all genders, because being a menstrual advocate also means bringing men into the conversation. Teamwork makes the dream work!
If you can’t make it to a program, here are some suggestions on how you can be an Period Advocate this month:
- Donate a box period protection products to a local food pantry;
- Write local policy makers about funding free period products in New York public high schools;
- Register to vote; or
- Host a crafting party and make period-themed bracelets and pins
Teen DIY: Period Action Day (PAD)
Thu, Oct 10; 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Jamaica Bay, Meeting Room
Join us for Period Action Day (PAD): Whether you menstruate or not, this event welcomes all—because periods are a part of life, but poverty shouldn’t be.
Craftivism: Teen Crafts and Activism for Period Action Day
Thu, Oct 10; 3:30pm to 5:00pm
Kings Bay, Meeting Room
CRAFTIVISM: Teen Crafts and Activism for Period Action Day
Period Action Day - Grab and Go Bags
Sat, Oct 12; 10:00am to 5:00pm
Brooklyn Heights Library, Gaming Room
October 12th is Period Action Day!
Teen DIY: Period Pantry Bag Decorations
Thu, Oct 17; 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Saratoga, Teen Tech Center
Join us in the Teen Tech Center on October 17th, to decorate individual bags for the Period Pantry!
This blog post reflects the opinions of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of Brooklyn Public Library.
Post a Comment
While BPL encourages an open forum, posts and comments are moderated by library staff. BPL reserves the right, within its sole discretion, not to post and to remove submissions or comments that are unlawful or violate this policy. While comments will not be edited by BPL personnel, a comment may be deleted if it violates our comment policy.
eNews Signup
Get the latest updates from BPL and be the first to know about new programs, author talks, exciting events and opportunities to support your local library.