An IASH Work-in-Progress seminar, delivered by Professor Marcy L. Karin (Fulbright Scotland Distinguished Visitor 2023; University of the District of Columbia)
Menstrual Justice at Work and School: Public Policy Lessons from Scotland’s Period Products Law and the UK Equality Act
Menstruation does not stop when people are at school and work. Unfortunately, existing structural barriers threaten the ability of some people to safely work or obtain an education because of menstruation—from menarche to menopause. Menstrual shame and taboo, menstrual illiteracy, power dynamics, and intersections with age, class, disability, gender identity, race, and sex also enhance the likelihood that menstruation-related needs remain unmet.
Building on prior work, this project analyzes the changing legal and policy framework to meet these needs and secure menstrual justice in Scotland. The presentation will explain the need for strong laws that remove structural barriers related to menstruation. In so doing, it will explore three-categories of menstruation-related needs and existing laws attempting to address them.
First, the need for menstrual accommodations such as scheduling modifications and tools to safely access and use products and toilets. Scotland’s ground-breaking Period Products Act responds to this need by requiring public bodies to provide free menstrual products.
Second, the need for menstrual dignity, which encompasses access to medically accurate menstrual education and a right to be free from discrimination, harassment, and bullying based on menstruation. The UK Equality Act protects people from unfair treatment based on certain personal characteristics—and litigation has considered when menstruation, perimenopause, and menopause are included in its protections.
Third, when menstruation-related legal rights exist, there is a need for enforcement, funding, and anti-retaliation protection to ensure that people can utilize them. Consequently, the presentation will address the implementation and enforcement of the Period Products and Equality Acts to see if they are meeting the goals of enhancing menstrual accommodations and diminishing menstrual discrimination. Finally, the presentation will conclude by articulating legal and policy lessons from this emerging policy response to menstrual inequality in Scotland.
Click the link below to join the webinar:
https://ed-ac-uk.zoom.us/j/86535202023
Passcode: Vr8f3ew2