Menstruation Matters: Challenging the Law's Silence on Periods

by Bridget J Crawford, Emily Gold Waldman

Explores the burgeoning menstrual advocacy movement and analyzes how law should evolve to take menstruation into account.

Approximately half the population menstruates for a large portion of their lives, but the law is mostly silent about the topic. Until recently, most people would have said that periods are private matters not to be discussed in public. But the last few years have seen a new willingness among advocates and allies of all ages to speak openly about periods. Slowly around the globe, people are recognizing the basic fundamental human right to address menstruation in a safe and affordable way, free of stigma, shame, or barriers to access.

Menstruation Matters explores the role of law in this movement. It asks what the law currently says about menstruation (spoiler not much) and provides a roadmap for legal reform that can move society closer to a world where no one is held back or disadvantaged by menstruation. Bridget J. Crawford and Emily Gold Waldman examine these issues in a wide range of contexts, from schools to workplaces to prisons to tax policies and more. Ultimately, they seek to transform both law and society so that menstruation is no longer an obstacle to full participation in all aspects of public and private life.

Genres: Nonfiction

288 pages, Hardcover

Published June 21, 2022

Reviews

[Ingrid Radulescu]

This was excellent. Most academic books can be so dense and hard to get through. However, this was written in such clear and accessible way that I breezed through it. It was such an interesting exploration and examination on all the legal issues surrounding menstruation that I personally never thought of.

[Brenna Sherrill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I downloaded this title because I was interested in the topic, but I was also concerned that the book might be a bit more academic than what I was looking for (even though I read academic books all the time). While it’s absolutely true that plenty of the law stuff was over my head, that took a backseat to the bigger issues of menstrual inequity happening all over the world. I learned so much while reading this book! I really got drawn into so many of the different chapters and arguments because they provided perspectives and insights that were new to me (I’m going to be thinking about the countries that have paid period leave for a long time). I also loved how much focus was placed on educational environments here—as a teacher, this book has already changed how I’m thinking about my students and what services/supplies they might need better access to. I’m really glad I took the chance on this very enlightening reading experience.

[Christine LaBatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Menstruation Matters tackles the issues of period poverty, menstrual equity, and more. The authors cover a range of topics including tampon tax, access to menstrual products, discrimination, among others.

I loved this book. I think the topics discussed in this book are so important. Too many women and people who menstruate are denied access to products or are discriminated against. The more awareness of this the better. This book goes a long way to educate people on a lot of issues that face countries around the world.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This non-fiction book explores in great depth the challenges we face as a society at making access to appropriate products for menstruation accessible for all people who need it. Topics covered include but are not limited to: ensuring access to menstruation products in schools and prisons, breaks or leaves for employees who are menstruating, FDA regulation of the chemicals, production and disposal of these products and the rights of transgender people in relation to menstruation Despite being a woman in my thirties there was still a lot of information in this book that I was completely unaware of, from the chemicals found in menstruation products (not just my limited understanding of tampons and Toxic Shock Syndrome), the terrible treatment of menstruating prisoners in the United States (I'm sorry, how much did you say 2 tampons cost them? $5+???) to the fact that in some places you can purchase crocodile meat and sprinkles for your cake without tax but pay a 25% tax on menstruation products? I hadn't thought too much about tampon tax before I read this book, but my eyes have definitely been opened to this problem, as well as related issues of accessibility both in Canada/US and abroad! This was definitely an interesting read and I was surprised by how hard I had to fight to put it down! I also spent the last few days spouting off interesting facts about menstruation products to (sometimes unwilling) listeners! Who knew I could become so passionate, so quickly about something I despise each month?! If anything I've just mentioned in this review intrigues you, there is A LOT more you can discover in the pages of Menstruation Matters by Crawford and Waldman. Get yourself a copy and go learn things! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to learn so much through reading and review this excellent book!

[Haley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great book that touches on one of the more ridiculous things that has been created by the patriarchy: The Period Tax. This book talks about it in depth and also touches on other menstural laws. I never realized how much legislation there is about a woman's body.

I got this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.