Menstrual equity takes center stage at South Asian Bar Association’s upcoming event

July 18, 2023 Rob Abruzzese

Members of the South Asian Bar Association of New York (SABANY) pictured at a previous gathering at the Thurgood Marshall Federal Courthouse in Manhattan. They continue to spearhead progressive dialogues, like the upcoming discussion on 'Menstrual Equity: Period, Policy, and Culture' at NYU School of Law. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Caroline Ourso.

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The South Asian Bar Association of New York (SABANY) is set to host a vital discussion titled “Menstrual Equity: Period, Policy, and Culture”, signifying a pivotal moment in the fight for reproductive justice.

This engaging dialogue, scheduled for July 26, 6 p.m. at NYU School of Law, will feature a panel of industry leaders, activists, and policymakers who are at the vanguard of the menstrual equity movement.

Moderated by Alisha Haridasani Gupta, a New York Times reporter, the discussion will bring together Megha Desai, president of the Desai Foundation, Akila Radhakrishnan, president of the Global Justice Center, and Jennifer Weiss-Wolf, executive director of the NYU Law Bimbaum Women’s Leadership Center.

The panel aims to shed light on the often-understated issue of menstrual equity. Topics will include pending and potential legislation related to periods, societal stigmas, and discomfort around discussing menstruation, as well as the importance of menstrual equity as a central component of reproductive justice. The event hopes to ignite conversation and action on these matters, challenging attendees to harness their skills, networks, and resources to contribute to the fight for menstrual equity.

Preceding the Menstrual Equity discussion, SABANY is co-sponsoring the Asian American Bar Association of New York’s (AABANY) inaugural Wellness Day on July 22. The event will be held at Brooklyn Law School during Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, reflecting AABANY’s theme, “Embracing Wellness and Well-Being – Strengthening the Legal Profession by Investing in Ourselves.”

In response to the rising stress levels due to the pandemic, escalating anti-Asian hate crimes and the pressures of life and the legal profession, AABANY’s Wellness Day aims to destigmatize mental health. It seeks to address personal and professional challenges while emphasizing the importance of mental health and self-care within the legal community.