LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Itās not something thatās often talked about, but a day before National Period Day, a 16-year-old girl is trying to start a āMenstrual Movement.ā
Emmarie Gates wants change for girls and women. Sheās fighting to make sanitary products more accessible for Arkansas women.
"So 35 states still tax tampons, Arkansas being one of them," said Gates.
She founded the first PERIOD chapter in our state, which is a teen-led nationwide non-profit fighting to end period poverty.
Friday, Gates collected posters with messages demanding change that she hopes will catch the attention of lawmakers Saturday morning.
āWe are rallying,ā said Gates. āThe point of the rally is to call legislators to action and to demand two things: freely accessible period products in schools, shelters, and bathrooms, and to end the tampon tax. "
It's a problem Dorcas VanGilst often runs into--women who cannot afford menstrual products.
VanGilst operates a women's shelter in Little Rock where she sees the most unsanitary signs of period poverty.
"The most common thing Iāve seen is for them to use old clothing, even old children's clothing,ā said VanGilst. āIt's such a breeding ground for bacteria and diseases."
Gates said sheās witnessed the struggle in the hallways of her own school.
She said her teachers have paid out of pocket to provide period products to students who don't have access to them or can't afford them.
"It's basic. Everybody needs it,ā said Gates. āYou can't stop bleeding because you donāt have a pad with you."
VanGilst said the teenās fight is needed and she hopes her voice is heard.
According to Period.org, 1 in 4 women struggle to afford period products.
"If you look at it, she's asking for it to be non-taxed. There's really no reason for it not to be,ā said VanGilst.
"You're barely affording it already and then add the tax on top of it, even though it's a necessity,ā said Gates.
More than 100 people gathered on the Arkansas State Capitol steps Saturday, Oct. 19 for a rally on National Period Day.