Menstrual Equity in the Peace Corps Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, for 60 years, Peace Corps has been an enduring symbol of peace and friendship between the U.S. and our global community. Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) sacrifice over two years of their time, working side by side with local leadership to combat some of the most pressing challenges of our generation.

Unfortunately, I have heard from too many PCVs who have struggled to access and afford menstrual products. PCVs, and Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) have shared with me how menstrual products are not readily available, or these items are far more expensive than they would be in the U.S. So many of these volunteers are also placed in very remote locations--forcing them to travel extremely far distances to access menstrual products.

Additionally, while the Peace Corps Medical Officers in some countries provides these products for PCVs, volunteers in other countries are forced to purchase these products out of the same limited stipend everyone else receives. Other volunteers pay hundreds of dollars out-of-pocket to ship these items from the U.S. to their country of service, or they wait to receive these items in their care packages from loved ones back home.

This is simply wrong. Menstrual products are not luxury items; they are medical necessities. Menstrual equity is a basic health right and human right.

That is why, today, on the 60th Anniversary of Peace Corps, I am reintroducing the Menstrual Equity in the Peace Corps Act to ensure that all PCVs have free and equitable access to menstrual products.

For the 65 percent of PCVs who are women, and the more than 90 percent of PCVs who are under the age of 50, this is simply a matter of equity. The Menstrual Equity in the Peace Corps Act would direct the Peace Corps Director to establish a comprehensive policy that makes available free menstrual products to PCVs who require them, or increase stipends to allow for those expenses.

Today, on the 60th Anniversary of the founding of Peace Corps, I recognize the bravery of all my constituents who have served in Peace Corps, and I am proud to reintroduce this critical bill that upholds the health and safety of all who answer the call to serve in Peace Corps. I thank my colleagues who have joined me in this critical legislation, and I urge its swift passage to ensure menstrual equity for all Peace Corps Volunteers.

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