The first Minister Elisabeth Borne announced on France 5this Monday, that the Government was going to launch a “Social Security reimbursement of reusable periodic protection” from 2024, this “for all young women under 25 years of age”.
To be reimbursed, these protections must be purchased at a pharmacy.
Élisabeth Borne assured that she is “concerned” by the fight against menstrual precariousness, that is, the fact that women do not provide protection during their periods, in particular because they are too expensive.
4 million women affected in France, according to a survey
Thus, in France about 4 million women are affected by menstrual precariousness, according to a survey by the Rules Elementary association in February 2023, “a figure that has doubled since 2021”. In 2021, the Maison des femmes estimated this figure at 1.7 million.
“It seems unthinkable to me that women cannot have the protections they need and want,” the prime minister said.
To fight against menstrual precariousness, the government had already announced in February 2021 the establishment of “free periodic tutorships” in universities. Starting this summer, tampons and sanitary napkins will be available free of charge in Scotland for all women.
Source: BFM TV
