Stephanie Lorenzo, co-founder and executive director of the reproductive justice group, Famalaoan Rights, is speaking out after learning what senators did to the Guam Department of Education's funding, cutting back on what would cover menstrual products in public schools.

 "I cannot tell you the overwhelming amount of students, teachers, admin nurses that are not only contacting from rights, but are contacting BWA, because their students are in dire need of these products," she said. 

Lorenzo said her organization has fought to ensure that students have access to these products.

"At the end of the day, we want to give these students the dignity and the basic human respect and right that they deserve to, you know, be a student in school to have to ensure that their education is not at risk, because they don't have access to period products," she said. 

Lorenzo co-authored the period poverty act when she was with Guam Youth Congress. The act requires all public school nursing or counselor offices have menstrual products, such as tampons and sanitary pads, available for students free of charge. 

Lorenzo argues the cutbacks will only mean more financial restrictions and negatively impact the social stigma for young girls' menstrual cycles and education.

Eight senators voted Tuesday afternoon on an amendment that reduces the $100,000 amount for the Period Poverty Act by three-fourths--funding only $25,000.

Sen. Telo Taitague was one of those senators. 

"That other 75,000 can go to someone else like a teacher for SPED," she said. "We can hire an additional teacher for SPED or, you know, have  GDOE finally build a ramp for a child who is has disabilities are the awnings that are needed when these kids, you know, get off the bus and it's all wet. So why would we hold that many hostage? Secondly, $92,000 from last year was still there, hasn't been utilized. So it's real simple."

Taitague told KUAM the cuts followed information they got from GDOE's head nurse claiming the $25,000 was all that was spent for products in the past school year.

"Last year was never funded to the legislature, it never came out of the general fund," she said. "It was actually through I think the Women's Bureau at 100,000 that she got from our funding. So everybody was in agreement, because money was in taken from the general fund. It was taken from a grant."

As reported, GDOE Deputy Superintendent Erika Cruz admitted school nurses have been covering the cost of the products out of pocket, adding they've also received community donations. 

Taitague added she was told by the head nurse that the act prevents GDOE from getting federal grants to buy more. 

Both Lorenzo and Bureau of Women’s Affairs Director Jayne Flores say they had no idea of any potential federal grant blockage when the act became law.

"No one from DOE said a word about any kind of supplanting or that this will jeopardize federal funding, nothing," Flores said. 

She added they too were donating to the schools.

 

"We had to wait until October of 2022, when FY 2023 kicked in," Flores said. "And I made a note and sent it to Sen. Shelton saying make sure that when you are having the budget hearings for GDOE that they set aside money for the menstrual products, please make sure because this is the law now. And so yes, yes, we're going to do that. So apparently the money was set aside. In February of 2023, I started getting emails from middle and high schools saying hey, do you have any menstrual products we are girls need menstrual products. And so I get donations here. So I donated everything I had.

Sides arguing left and right about the funding but the big question remains -- if GDOE does have the product, where are they? 

KUAM News obtained the purchase orders for menstrual products made just this past Tuesday - the same day the issue was voted on at the legislature. 

GDOE confirming their vendor delivered part of the order, which will go out to school health counselors tomorrow. 

Additionally, GDOE's head nurse, Julietta Quinene told KUAM, the remaining funds appropriated from the menstrual hygiene appropriation will be made available for further needs.  If funds are not used, the superintendent can exercise transfer authority. We are aware that the legislature is currently discussing a carryover for these funds.”

GDOE Superintendent Kenneth Swanson plans to use the funds quarterly so that the products can be made available for the entire female student body.

After our interview with Lorenzo, Famalaon Fights posted on social media that bottom line: cutting funding for period products shows our people that our government is not willing to provide the proper funding to ensure that our students can go to school while on their period. 

An early programming note for KUAM viewers: Coming up in November, "Periodical," a new feature documentary from XTR  and MSNBC films, will air on Peacock. 

The special will tell the unexpected story of the human body by exploring the marvel and mystery of the menstrual cycle, from first period to last.

Through innovative mixed media storytelling, "periodical" is for everyone who wants to know more about the menstrual cycle, and especially for those who don’t.

“Periodical” streams Sunday, Nov. 19 on Peacock.