Summary
France will start reimbursing reusable menstrual cups and underwear for women under 26 and low-income women through its social security system from the next school year. This program aims to reduce period poverty and is expected to help about 6.7 million people.
Key Facts
- The reimbursement will cover reusable menstrual cups and underwear.
- Women under 26 with state health insurance and women of any age with low income can get refunds.
- The program will begin from the autumn academic year 2026.
- Around 6.7 million people in France could benefit from this measure.
- France’s parliament approved this in the social security budget for 2024.
- There was a delay in implementation after the approval, causing disappointment among some groups and companies.
- A 2023 survey found that one in ten French women used makeshift period products due to lack of money.
- France previously lowered sales tax on period products from 20% to 5.5% in 2016.
- Scotland set a precedent in 2020 by providing free period products in public buildings.
