As of April 2024, 27 states and Washington, D.C., have passed legislation to help provide students who menstruate with free access to period products by requiring and/or funding schools to do so. Additionally, some countries— including Canada and Scotland— have also created legislative requirements for other away-from-home facilities to do the same.

A survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of the Free the Tampon Foundation found, “86% of women have started their period unexpectedly in public without supplies. Of those women, 62% reported going to a store immediately to buy menstrual products at least once. 34% reported going home at least in one instance when getting their period unexpectedly.”

Far too few facilities consider the impact of their students being left unprepared if their period comes unexpectedly. ISSA’s survey—Are Your Restrooms Period Friendly?—aims to assess if facilities are implementing period-care dispenser and disposal solutions in their bathrooms, and if not, why they have not.

To participate in ISSA’s short survey, click here. And be sure to sign up to receive alerts and news regarding ISSA’s campaign to End Period Poverty.