Women's Resource Center holds discussion to educate on menstrual health, products

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On International Women’s Day, March 8, WVU Women’s Resource Center held a period panel discussion to kick off the free menstrual cup drive open to students on campus.

The Zoom event was co-sponsored by the WRC and OrganiCup, and panelists included Ixya Vega of Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, Holly McKinney from the LGBTQ+ Center and Chantelle Friend of WELLWVU.

“These panelists were chosen because they're all very passionate about menstrual sustainability and menstrual health," Jennifer Darmelio, moderator of the panel, said. "They are aware of menstrual cups and reusable products. All of them have their own unique experience that people felt would benefit our conversation.”

According to Leslie Tower, director of the Women’s Resource Center, the objective of the panel was to teach students about what an interval cup is, how exactly to use it, the professionals and cons of period cups and answer any questions students had about the merchandise.

The panel discussion emphasized menstrual equity, the idea that menstrual products should be affordable, accessible and safe.

“It could often be uncomfortable to talk about menstruation as a result of stigma. Facilitating discussions about any of it can start to break that stigma,” Darmelio said. “In hosting this panel, we hoped to educate individuals on reusable menstrual cups while facilitating an open and honest conversation about menstruation.”

The WRC wants students to learn that period cups certainly are a healthier, more sustainable, less costly and far more convenient option for periods. For another two weeks, students may sign-up for their own period cup at wrc.wvu.edu.

“Not everyone matures in a house that's open and where it's safe for you to ask questions,” Vega said. “Having a panel with people who are young and educated on these matters can be so beneficial to other people who may well not fully understand what's happening with their bodies or how to use new period methods.”

To create periods on campus more sustainable and raise awareness about menstrual health, WRC is teaming with OrganiCup to provide students a free of charge menstrual cup, typically a $30 value, through the CampusCup 2021 campaign from March 8 to 22.

Vega stressed the importance of raising awareness on menstruation.

“I don't think persons recognize how periods impact one’s daily life," Vega said. "Students need to miss time in class to go change their period product, some persons can't afford to feed their own families and also provide period products, LGBTQ+ folks can be devote danger by devoid of what they need readily accessible.

“Most of all, because we federally don't possess the support that people need to protect persons with periods, the burden of providing period products to folks often falls on the city.”

Menstrual cups will be accessible for pickup next door from the Mountainlair on April 5 to 8 during select time slots.

Students can visit the WVU WRC Initiatives site for more info on the great things about menstrual cups, how to join an OrganiCup so when to pick up your brand-new cup.

The WRC provides a comprehensive set of on-and-off campus resources for women and families. The website includes information on career resources, basic needs, healthcare, dependent care, healthy living, student organizations in addition to services for immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community, veterans and women’s rights groups. Visit wrc.wvu.edu for your one-stop-shop to find WVU and community resources.
Source: https://www.thedaonline.com

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