The French government is launching an ambitious plan to combat menstrual poverty. Starting next fall, the state’s social security system will reimburse the cost of menstrual cups and sanitary napkins for women under 26 and people with low incomes.
France’s social security system will reimburse the cost of reusable menstrual cups and underwear for women under 26 and women struggling with poverty, the government announced Thursday. TASR writes about it according to an AFP report.
- France to start reimbursing reusable menstrual pads.
- Women under the age of 26 are entitled to financial reimbursement of costs.
- The support also applies to all low-income women in France.
- One in ten French women uses improvised menstrual aids due to lack of money.
The fight against menstrual poverty
A measure aimed at solving the problem of the so-called menstrual poverty should help 6.7 million people – almost a tenth of the total number of 69 million inhabitants of France – from the beginning of the next school year in the fall, according to the statement.
Women under 26 with a health insurance card, as well as women of all ages who are entitled to special health support due to limited income, will be able to receive financial compensation after purchasing these products at the pharmacy.
One in ten French women uses alternatives instead of regular menstrual aids
Parliament approved the measure as part of the country’s social security budget until 2024. But a decree mandating its introduction was missing, sparking anger among women’s activists and sustainable hygiene companies.
A survey of 4,000 women in France last November showed that one in 10 uses alternatives such as ripped clothes instead of regular menstrual aids due to a limited budget, according to the French charity Dons Solidaires.
At the same time, in 2016, France reduced the tax on the sale of hygiene products from 20 percent to 5.5 percent.
