Femcities Conferences
Scotland, France, Region of Catalonia, City of Vienna, etc.
The financial burden of having to pay for period products is known as the "tampon tax" or "pink tax" and disproportionately affects individuals who menstruate. This “tax” creates gender-specific economic challenges, as menstrual products are essential items, and the associated costs can contribute to period poverty, limiting access to necessary hygiene products for certain individuals. Eliminating this tax and ensuring affordable access to period products is crucial for promoting gender equality, acknowledging menstruation as a natural aspect of reproductive health, and addressing economic disparities related to gender-specific needs.
In November 2020, Scotland passed the Period Products (Free Provision) Act, which ensures that everyone who menstruates has access to period products, free of charge and whenever they are required. The measure makes tampons and sanitary pads available at designated public places such as community centres, youth clubs and pharmacies.
Following Scotland’s example, many political entities followed with similar initiatives. In February 2021, for example, the French government started distributing free tampons and pads in universities. Additionally, the city of Vienna created the “Red Box” project in October 2023, offering free period products to girls, women and other menstruating people for whom the purchase of period products presents a financial burden. Lastly, as of 2024, the region of Catalonia in Spain will distribute free menstrual cups, period underwear, and cloth sanitary pads via pharmacies to 2.5 million people to mitigate period poverty.
Access to free period products ensures that individuals who menstruate can take care of their menstrual hygiene without financial barriers, automatically reducing the risk of period poverty. This initiative not only addresses a fundamental aspect of reproductive health but also contributes to breaking down societal stigmas surrounding menstruation, promoting inclusivity, and recognizing menstrual care as a basic human right.
Scotland - Project
Region of Catalonia - Project
City of Vienna - Project
