Student Council and DECA are in a serious competition. March 10-14, both organizations will be competing against each other to see which group is able to collect the most donated feminine hygiene products. The Student Council will be representing non-DECA members, this means that anyone from the school is able to donate.
In many places around the world, people are struggling to gain access to these products that are necessary. During Covid alone, a study found that 30% of women struggled to gain access to these products, and 29% simply could not afford them.
Some also face the challenge of dealing with the negative stigma behind these products. Despite there slowly being social changes made, feelings involved with things like menstruation and periods that feminine hygiene products are needed for still exist. One hope for this donation drive is not only providing products for those in need, but also breaking down those ideas that periods are “embarrassing,” or that they should be hidden.
“Half of our student body is made up of those who have to live with the stigma and ‘shame’ of living with a period,” junior Ashley Weatherspoon said. “Even just spending time discussing the issues around menstruation, we hope to normalize discussions surrounding it. It is also important to understand that feminine hygiene product accessibility increases the education gap because lack of menstrual products causes people around the world to not go to school.”
All products will be donated to the Chicago Refugee Coalition. Last year, Student Council managed to donate over 600 feminine hygiene products for The Harbor. This year, they hope to raise even more. To donate, DECA students will give products to business classrooms only. Non-DECA members will turn in donations to their homeroom teachers. If Student Council wins, whichever homeroom raised the most will be awarded free Decadent Delightz.
