POITIERS, FRANCE – The French government on Tuesday announced it would make menstrual products free for students, joining a global campaign to end “period poverty” – the inability to pay for menstrual protection.
Higher Education Minister Frédérique Vidal said machines containing free tampons, sanitary napkins and other period products will be installed in student residences and university health services in the coming weeks.
She added that the government aims to make protection of the period “completely free” for everyone by the start of the next academic year in September.
In November, Scotland became the first country in the world to make vintage goods free for all, paving a way that has inspired feminists and anti-poverty activists around the world to also address the issue of poverty in the world. ‘time.
In England, free products are available in all primary and secondary schools – a move New Zealand said last week it would also implement.
In December, President Emmanuel Macron promised to also address the issue of period poverty.
Commenting on the plight of homeless women, he noted that “having your period on the streets and not being able to buy something to protect yourself and preserve your dignity” added to the humiliation suffered.
The move to make health protection free for students comes against a backdrop of growing focus on youth poverty following shocking images of food banks being swamped with hardened students due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Many students say they are struggling to make ends meet after losing part-time jobs at cafes and restaurants that have been closed for months due to the health crisis.
