The coordinator of a women’s health nonprofit says it's expanding services to more regional schools. Clutch collects and distributes feminine hygiene products and works to address and misconceptions about a woman’s menstrual cycle.
Coordinator Kristen Farley said one in five girls in the U.S. has missed school due to shame of their period or lack of product. In an event at Murray State this week, she told attendees period misconceptions are dangerous to women.
“81% of women have experienced debilitating cramps,” Farley said. “Where you can’t go to school, you can’t go to work, and then you’re like ‘hey boss, I can’t come I have cramps’ and they’re like ‘that’s a made up thing.’”
Mike Gowen is a single father and a volunteer host for WKMS. He attended the event and said there are health risks involved when women’s health is stigmatized.
“As a single dad of a daughter, my concern was if something was wrong that I wouldn’t be able to pick up the signal,” Gowen said. “So if there’s a medical issue you have to be comfortable and our society makes you uncomfortable about it. It can be dangerous.”
Farley said Clutch currently serves 3,000 students in nine schools and plans to branch out to McCracken County and Paducah Tilghman Middle and High Schools.
“Honestly it’s growing at such an alarmingly terrifying rate but it’s so cool because I feel like so many people need this service and so many people are so excited to be involved with it,” Farley said.
She said Clutch is hosting a packing party next week to prepare the ‘clutches’ for distribution. These clutches are small bags including pads, tampons, panty-liners and disposable wipes. Farley said the goal is to pack 1,000 clutches.
