Boston, MA ~ Boston, MA - In a press release today, Mayor Michelle Wu and the Mayor's Office of Women's Advancement (MOWA) announced the expansion of the city's Menstrual Equity Initiative. This program, which was initially launched as a pilot in 2023 at six Boston Public Library (BPL) branches, will now be a permanent effort to increase access to menstrual health resources across the city.

The Mayor's work to make Boston a home for everyone has led to this expansion, which aims to address period poverty, reduce stigma, and ensure that menstrual products are accessible in all neighborhoods. "Ensuring that residents have equitable access to menstrual products is critical for their health and well-being," said Mayor Michelle Wu. "As we continue our work to make Boston a city for everyone, we are thrilled to expand this initiative citywide and provide critical products and services to residents and families."

The initial pilot was launched in partnership with Boston Public Library and Aunt Flow, placing free menstrual products in all restrooms at six library branches regardless of gender. Along with product access, the City also partnered with Love Your Menses, Inc. to host monthly community workshops focused on menstrual education. This pilot program provided an inclusive and stigma-free space for learning and laid the foundation for broader implementation citywide.

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Chief of Equity and Inclusion Mariangely Solis Cervera stated that when talking with young people, parents, and community leaders, she hears the same message over and over again: access to menstrual products changes lives. "It means students can stay in school, workers don't have to miss a shift, and families don't have to make impossible choices," she said. "This expansion is a direct response to what our residents have told us, and it's a reminder that equity is about listening, learning, and acting together."

On National Menstrual Hygiene Day on May 28th 2025, MOWA announced the program's citywide expansion during a public event at BCYF Hyde Park. The event included giveaways, community engagement activities, and a preview of an educational animated video series created to help Boston youth learn about the menstrual cycle and different product options. This multilingual video series will be publicly released this summer.

Dana Alas, Executive Director of the Mayor's Office of Women's Advancement, emphasized that menstrual equity is about dignity, access, and public health. "By providing free products and multilingual education across our city, we're removing barriers that have kept too many people from fully participating in school, work, and daily life," she said. "This expansion is a reflection of what we've heard directly from residents: the need is urgent, and the impact is transformative."

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As part of the expansion, free menstrual products will be installed this fall at Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) facilities. MOWA has also launched staff training sessions in partnership with MassNOW to help frontline city staff talk more openly and confidently with youth and families about menstrual health. These trainings will continue throughout the year and extend to Boston Public Schools and Boston Public Library staff.

To celebrate the growth of the Menstrual Equity Initiative, MOWA recently hosted a community celebration at Walker Empowerment Zone in Roxbury. The "Period Party" featured music, food, a screening of the new educational videos, and opportunities for community members to share feedback to help shape the next phase of programming. MOWA worked closely with community partners Love Your Magic and Walker Therapeutic and Educational Programs to bring the event to life.

Commissioner Marta E. Rivera of Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) believes that access to menstrual products is a fundamental right. "Through the Mayor's Office of Women's Advancement Menstrual Equity Initiative," she said, "we are proud to be the first city department to offer free menstrual products later this fall in all of our BCYF facilities. This initiative helps ensure that our community centers are welcoming and equitable spaces for all."

To watch the educational video series and learn more about the Menstrual Equity Initiative, visit boston.gov/women or contact bostonwomen@boston.gov.

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