Many things are going wrong in many parts of the world. Gender equality is still a long way off, but there are small, albeit small, steps forward. Today comes good news from France: Prime Minister Elisabeth Bourne announced that from 2024 women under 25 will be able to receive reusable products for the menstrual cycle for free.
Absorbent briefs, silicone cups, washable sanitary pads: these are not classic disposable tampons, but products that are usually more expensive, but durable and therefore more environmentally friendly. “Irregular menstruation,” the prime minister explained, “is a reality that affects too many women. This is an everyday injustice.” That’s why this solution was introduced: under the age of 25, just go to the pharmacy, buy the relevant products, and then ask for a refund. The aim is to fight so-called “periodic poverty”: in France, at least one in five women does not have enough money to afford regular sanitary pads. As a result, there are girls who are even forced to skip school days when they have their period. Progress has been made over the years: as he reports Fast in 2015, the tax on tampons in France was reduced from 20% to 5.5%, in 2020, 5 million euros were allocated to combat menstrual disorders, and in 2021, menstrual products began to be produced free of charge in university dormitories and medical institutions university students. “It is inconceivable that women cannot get the protection they need,” Bourne said.
We have been talking about the cost of menstruation for women for many years now, and regulations have been introduced in several European countries to improve the situation. Scotland leads the way with making all menstrual products free from 2022. In Italy, with the new budget law, VAT has finally moved to 5%a step forward that took years of debate and bill proposals. The path to free feminine (and non-feminine) hygiene products is still a long one.
Source: Elle