Menstrual Equity and Period Poverty in Higher Education

In this episode of Policy Chats, host Dori Pham sits down with Assistant Director Marisol Torres and Policy Intern Germaine Ho from The Well, UC Riverside’s student health promotion department. Together, they explore the topic of menstrual equity, the challenges students face in accessing period products, and how policies are working to address period poverty on college campuses. From research-based policy briefs to creative programs like Flow Into Summer, this episode looks at how public health, education, and equity come together to make a difference. Additionally, Marisol and Germaine will discuss the barriers created by stigma, the difficulty of getting policies implemented effectively, and why collaboration between departments matters.This episode isn’t just a conversation—it’s a reminder that institutions have a responsibility to support their students in every way. Tune in to hear how advocacy, empathy, and education are helping to bring real change to UCR and beyond.Topics Covered:What is period poverty?How menstrual inequity impacts student wellbeingCurrent UC and CSU policies, including AB 367Data-driven approaches to policy writingInstitutional strategies to provide free menstrual productsThe importance of stigma reduction and faculty trainingVisions for a future of comprehensive menstrual access📍 This episode is produced by the UCR School of Public Policy and features research-informed insights that align with our motto: “Solutions for the Region, Solutions for the World.”Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the interviewers and guests alone and do not reflect the official positions of the UC Riverside School of Public Policy or the University of California, Riverside.🎧 Guest Speakers:Marisol Torres, Assistant Director at The WellGermaine Ho, Policy Intern at The WellInterviewed by Dori Pham, UCR Public Policy Student and incoming host of Policy Chats🎵 Music by: Vir Sinha🔗 More on the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast📱 Follow us on Instagram: @ucr_spp👉 Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode and stay tuned until the end for bonus reflections from the new host and ongoing research updates!