On June 4, 1919, Congress passed the 19th amendment granting women the right to vote. Now, over a hundred years later, progress has been made in terms of education, employment opportunities, and political participation. But, despite these accomplishments, women still face gender discrimination, inequality, and violence.
Disparate pay and societal expectations have all hindered any progress towards an equitable society and sexism is just as prevalent as it was a century ago. While women’s rights are protected under the law, gender disparity has a lingering presence in factors like sports, social media, and mental health.
In Upper Arlington, examples of gender inequality can be found in the bathrooms. Menstrual products have only recently been an addition to the bathrooms across the new high school and the supplies in the middle schools have been misused since their installment. Tampons can be found stuck to ceilings and pads line the walls, all results of misuse. In public bathrooms, 25¢ payments must be deposited in order to gain access to these products in spaces.
Period poverty is a term that relates the struggle many low-income women and girls face while trying to afford menstrual products. To avoid this issue, petitions can be signed and donations can be made in opposition. Many menstrual product companies openly support the end of period poverty but without much reinforcement, institutions like the government swoop in with plans to reduce the access to menstrual products for every female.
“Don’t Say Period,” a bill passed in Florida, was signed into effect in May and works to remove awareness of issues like education of menstrual cycles. The bill limits K-12 classroom discussions and instructions on topics such as reproductive health and gender identity.
Acts such as these work towards a future compromised with gender disparity. Future bills such as “Don’t Say Period” must be rejected to protect women’s futures. Reproductive rights must be protected and equal pay must be ensured for all career fields.
By challenging gender discrimination, rights like the 19th amendment and Title IX will not be lost but rather prove that women are no less worthy or deserving of basic human rights than men.
