PITTSBURGH, Pa (PTTP) — A Western Pennsylvania nonprofit is working to combat period poverty through a combination of education, direct aid, and youth advocacy, as state leaders in Pennsylvania push to expand access to menstrual products through public funding.
The Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank launched its Period Advocacy Project in 2021 to address gaps in access to period products and empower young people to push for change. Supported by the Pittsburgh Foundation, the program serves participants ages 15 to 25 and focuses on both the personal and systemic challenges tied to menstrual health.
Organizers say the need is widespread. An estimated two in five people have struggled to afford period products in the past year, a reality that can lead to missed school, work, and daily activities.
The program offers a discussion-based curriculum that explores the stigma surrounding menstruation and the political and economic barriers that limit access to products. Participants also receive advocacy training, learning how to engage with policymakers and raise awareness in their communities.
As part of the initiative, students take part in a “day of action,” writing letters to local legislators urging policies that improve access to menstrual supplies. Those who complete the program receive a stipend and a six-month supply of period products.
The project is supported by national partners, including the Alliance for Period Supplies and U by Kotex, as well as funding from the AEO Foundation. Local groups such as Youth Enrichment Services and Ruth’s Way also help facilitate programming.
The local effort comes as Josh Shapiro has made menstrual equity part of his broader state budget priorities. His administration has already directed $6 million over the past two years to provide free period products to students across Pennsylvania and is proposing an additional $3 million to expand access in schools, correctional facilities, and other public spaces.
Supporters say the funding is aimed at reducing barriers that can disrupt education and strain low-income households. At the same time, critics have questioned overall state spending levels as part of broader budget negotiations.
Advocates say initiatives like the Period Advocacy Project complement state-level investments by addressing both immediate needs and long-term change. Without access to basic hygiene products, families facing financial hardship are often forced to make difficult trade-offs between necessities such as food, transportation, and personal care.
By combining education, access, and civic engagement, organizers hope the program, alongside growing state support, will not only meet urgent needs but also contribute to lasting policy changes that make period products more accessible and less stigmatized across Pennsylvania.