[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 38 (Monday, March 1, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E187]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                MENSTRUAL EQUITY IN THE PEACE CORPS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GRACE MENG

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 1, 2021

  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.

                          ____________________