BYU-Idaho Radio · Idaho Period Project strives to end period poverty in Idaho
Period poverty is a term typically coined with the idea of girls in developing countries which don’t have access to period products. Period poverty, however, is not only found in Third World countries – it is found right here in our own communities.
Avrey Hendrix, founder and president of the Idaho Period Project, is striving to end period poverty and to create menstrual equity in Idaho.
“I feel like I’m privileged and that if I am not giving what I have to others then there’s something wrong. So I think that it’s my divine mission to give to these girls that don’t have that,” Hendrix said.
In January 2022, the project sent out a survey to better understand the needs of girls and women in the area. The results showed that 75% of girls missed class time because they didn’t have access to period supplies.
One of the project’s biggest goals is to place free period product dispensers in K-12 public and charter school bathrooms. This was inspired after Utah passed a bill making this mandatory in its public schools.
The bill passed the Idaho House Education Committee but failed on the house floor with a 35 to 35 vote.
“We’ll come back next year. I think, alone, talking about women's period and tampons and all the taboo words we don’t really say out loud – I think just that alone was an accomplishment,” Hendrix said.
The project was able to install 32 period product dispensers in K-12 schools with a $30,000 donation they received.
On April 28, the project will hold its inaugural “Pink Party,” which will include dinner, dancing and a silent auction. For more information on the event and the project, visit https://idahoperiodproject.org/.