Assembly Resolution No. 576

BY: M. of A. Burdick

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
May 22-28, 2023, as Period Poverty Awareness Week in
the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to call for
awareness to Period Poverty, which affects women and girl's daily lives,
because they are unable to afford the material basic necessities they
require to thrive; and

WHEREAS, Approximately half of the population will have a period
every month for decades of their lives, and therefore, period supplies
are a necessary product, each month, for millions of people across the
country; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 22-28, 2023, as Period
Poverty Awareness Week in the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, One in four women and girls struggle to secure enough
period supplies to meet their needs each month due to a lack of income;
this lack of period supplies, known as period poverty, can adversely
affect the health and well-being of menstruators; and

WHEREAS, In addition, one in five women and girls miss work or
school due to a lack of a sufficient amount of period supplies; period
poverty exacerbates the vicious cycle of poverty by forcing menstruators
to withdraw from daily life, losing pay, or missing educational
opportunities; and

WHEREAS, New York State recognizes the importance of period products
to ensure a healthy life and that period poverty is a serious public
health issue; and

WHEREAS, Addressing period poverty can lead to economic opportunity
for the State's people and communities, and improved health for women
and all menstruators; thus ensuring all people have access to the basic
necessities required to thrive and reach their full potential; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 22-28, 2023, as Period
Poverty Awareness Week in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.