Menstrual protection is now free in Catalonia. According to local surveys, 23% of Catalans have already reused hygiene products for economic reasons.
“My periods, my periods”: this is the name of the pioneering initiative for women’s health which has just been launched by the Spanish region of Catalonia. Thanks to it, nearly 2.5 million people will be entitled to a free menstrual cup and a pair of menstrual panties. The regional Minister of Equality and Feminism of Catalonia described this measure as “world premiere”.
“More than 165,000 people have already downloaded the QR code found in the application of the Catalan public health system and which allows them to exchange it in pharmacies for the menstrual product of their choice” explains Tània Verge, regional minister of Equality and Feminism of Catalonia.
23% of women surveyed by the Public Opinion Office of Catalonia said they had already reused hygiene products designed for single use for economic reasons. The initiative, which aims to “guarantee the right to menstrual equity”therefore received a glowing welcome.
“I am totally in favor of this initiative. I still haven’t gone to get my menstrual product but I’m going this week” declares a student.
“It’s one more gesture towards this equality or this sensitivity towards it. (…) On a collective level, it is one more step towards equality” adds his mother.
In 2020, the Scottish Government passed similar legislation. But menstrual products are single-use and are distributed in schools, colleges and universities, and not in pharmacies.