It is one of the stellar measures of the Catalan Ministry of Equality and Feminism and just this week, in which a menstrual permit will be approved throughout Spain and on the same day that it has been known that VAT will not be reduced for products of intimate hygiene, becomes reality. During this week and within the Menstrual Equity Plan, the Generalitat will distribute reusable menstrual hygiene products to 1,200 3rd year ESO students from 24 educational centers in Catalonia in the first phase of the ‘My rule, my rules’ project to universalize access to these products and raise awareness about the ecological impact of single-use menstrual products.
Specifically, girls and menstruating people will receive a case with a menstrual cup, absorbent panties and a reusable compress, explains the Government.
In addition, a midwife will teach in her classes, and also for her classmates, a training session on menstrual education.
“It is time to break the taboos and stigmas about menstruation”, they defend from the counseling. According to their data, 22% of women have difficulties acquiring this type of product and also four out of ten women cannot choose which menstrual product to use for economic reasons. In addition, they remember that the cost of tampons and pads throughout a fertile life is 2,500 euros on average, while with the menstrual cup, for example, the cost would be about 144 euros on average.
“We need a feminist public policy that shakes up and changes the rules of the game”, claimed the councilor Tània Verge at the press conference to present the campaign. This first phase represents an investment of 69,490 euros for the Government and after evaluating its impact and reception, it is expected that from next year the campaign will be extended to all secondary schools.
On the other hand, the counselor has considered that sick leave due to painful menstruation is a “question of justice” and that the impossibility of requesting sick leave due to a painful period is a “clear discrimination” towards women.
2
