119-hres372

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 372 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
H. RES. 372

 Recognizing the impact the stigmatization of menstruation has on the 
 lives of women, girls, and people who menstruate, and expressing 
support for the designation of the month of May as ``National Menstrual 
 Health Awareness Month''.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 May 1, 2025

 Ms. Meng (for herself, Ms. Clarke of New York, Ms. Barragan, Ms. 
 Brownley, Mr. Casten, Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick, Ms. Escobar, Mr. 
 Johnson of Georgia, Ms. Kamlager-Dove, Mr. Meeks, Ms. Moore of 
 Wisconsin, Ms. Sewell, Mr. Tonko, Mr. Torres of New York, Ms. 
Velazquez, and Mrs. Watson Coleman) submitted the following resolution; 
 which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in 
 addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to 
 be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for 
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the 
 committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

 RESOLUTION

 Recognizing the impact the stigmatization of menstruation has on the 
 lives of women, girls, and people who menstruate, and expressing 
support for the designation of the month of May as ``National Menstrual 
 Health Awareness Month''.

Whereas menstrual health is an integral part of overall health because most 
 women menstruate, on average, for 40 years of life between menarche and 
 menopause;
Whereas the World Bank estimates that globally, 500,000,000 people lack access 
 to menstrual products and clean, safe water and sanitation facilities 
 for menstrual hygiene management;
Whereas the United Nations Population Fund recognizes that menstruation is 
 intrinsically related to human dignity;
Whereas menstrual health impacts the fulfillment of rights such as adequate and 
 secure housing, education, safe and healthy working conditions, and 
 freedom from discrimination;
Whereas 6,000 women in the United States enter menopause each day;
Whereas access to safe, private water and sanitation facilities is essential for 
 effectively managing menstrual hygiene with dignity;
Whereas cultural stigma and lack of access to menstrual health and hygiene 
 education, sanitation, and infrastructure can limit access to school, 
 employment, and religious activities;
Whereas negative stigmas around menstruation can impact girls from the onset of 
 puberty and throughout the remainder of their lives;
Whereas menstruation is a normal and healthy part of life for most women and 
 girls, yet, in many societies, the experience of menstruators continues 
 to be constrained by cultural taboos and discriminatory social norms;
Whereas the lack of resources for safe and dignified management of menstruation 
 can cause discomfort and psychological stress and add to the shame and 
 sometimes depression that women and girls experience as a result of 
 menstruation-related taboos and stigma;
Whereas women's health research continues to be understudied, resulting in a 
 lack of research and education around menstrual and uterine health 
 issues such as fibroids, endometriosis, and polycystic ovary syndrome, 
 impacting millions of women in the United States;
Whereas an investment in menstrual health is an investment in gender equity and 
 equality; and
Whereas menstrual health disparities impact economic opportunities and 
 empowerment: Now, therefore, be it
 Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

    (1) supports the goals and ideals of ``National Menstrual 
 Health Awareness Month'', which are to--
        (A) normalize menstruation as a healthy biological 
 process and eliminate period stigma;
        (B) educate young people to understand menstrual 
 health management and its impacts on the overall 
 physical health, mental health, and well-being of 
 women, girls, and those who menstruate;
            (C) support the development of new supportive 
 standards of menstrual health education and care for 
 menstruating girls, women, and people; and
            (D) improve access to care, treatment, and 
 information regarding menstrual health, including for 
 conditions such as dysmenorrhea, fibroids, 
 endometriosis, and polycystic ovary syndrome;

    (2) acknowledges the importance of ensuring access to 
 appropriate menstrual products and safe, private sanitation and 
 hygiene facilities in schools and workplaces in the United 
 States and abroad;

    (3) recognizes the importance of promoting health equity 
 and addressing the burden negative stigmas around menstruation 
 have on women, girls, and those who menstruate;

    (4) recognizes the importance of expanding clinical 
 research and health education on conditions impacting menstrual 
 health such as fibroids, endometriosis, polycystic ovary 
 syndrome, and menopause; and

    (5) supports the designation of a ``National Menstrual 
 Health Awareness Month''.
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