- Every woman will be able to collect the product of her choice via a QR code found in the La Meva Salutapp.
- The Ministry of Equality and Feminisms will train pharmaceutical teams to provide information and advice on the menstrual cycle and menstrual products.
- Catalonia will be the first country in the world to distribute free, reusable menstrual products to a potential population of 2.5 million women.
Today the Ministry of Equality and Feminisms presented the details of the free and universal distribution of reusable menstrual products to all women in Catalonia, as included in the Comprehensive Menstrual and Climacteric Equity Plan 2023-2025. The plan has a trans-inclusive approach and therefore also addresses non-binary people and trans* menstruating men. This is an unprecedented measure at the international level, one of great complexity, which aims to guarantee the right to menstrual equity, that is, to ensure access to reusable menstrual products and to support and provision of quality information to put an end to myths, taboos and lack of knowledge surrounding menstruation. It is estimated that around 2.5 million women will be eligible.
To roll out this initiative throughout Catalonia, the Ministry of Equality and Feminisms and the Council of Pharmaceutical Associations of Catalonia (CCFC) signed a collaboration agreement this morning. Thus, pharmacies will be responsible for distributing the products and offering personalised advice at the time of collection.
The Minister of Equality and Feminisms, Tània Verge Mestre, emphasised that “we are the first country in the world to distribute free and universal cups, period panties and cloth sanitary pads, accompanied by quality information and advice”, a milestone that the minster claimed is no coincidence, since “in this international context where sexual and reproductive rights are being questioned and rolled back, the Government of Catalonia is not only defending these rights but also redoubling our commitment, by introducing new rights such as menstrual equity”. Verge explained that this measure will also “break myths and taboos about periods, which affect women’s well-being and health, will put an end to menstrual poverty, generate savings for women and families and do so with a clear commitment to the planet, with sustainable and reusable products”.
For his part, the president of the Council of Pharmaceutical Associations of Catalonia, Jordi Casas i Sánchez, added that, by signing the agreement, “pharmacists undertake the commitment to help guarantee the exercise of sexual and reproductive rights and facilitate universal access to sustainable and reusable menstrual products. In this way, we strengthen the values that we have always defended within the pharmaceutical profession, which works every day to improve people’s health”.
The products available in pharmacies will be menstrual cups, period panties and cloth sanitary pads. Everyone will be able to choose one of the three products, depending on what best suits their needs. To collect the product it will be necessary to present an individual and non-transferable QR code that can be found in the Ministry of Health’s La Meva Salut app. Pharmaceutical staff will help anyone having difficulty in obtaining the code from the app to ensure all citizens have access.
Pharmacies that are part of the project will display a logo identifying and accrediting them as an authorised distribution point. The products are expected to reach pharmacies in the first quarter of 2024. The Minister of Equality and Feminisms stressed that “this measure will make menstrual products available to all women, wherever they live, and that is why working in partnership with pharmacies is key to making reusable menstrual products available throughout Catalonia, even in the smallest municipalities”.
In addition to guaranteeing menstrual equity, the measure aims to promote the use of reusable products and reduce the footprint left on the planet by the more than 9,000 tonnes of waste produced each year in Catalonia from the use of disposable tampons and pads. Free access to menstrual cups, period panties and cloth sanitary pads also means significant savings for women and families. For example, if they choose to use a cup, the cost over the course of a woman’s fertile life is approximately €145 compared to the €2,500 cost of tampons and single-use pads.
Pharmacies will offer personalised information and advice
At the end of October, the Ministry of Equality and Feminisms will begin training pharmacy teams throughout Catalonia on sexual and reproductive rights and, more specifically, on menstrual equity and the use of menstrual products. The aim of these training sessions is to enable pharmacies to provide information on the menstrual cycle, and to answer questions at the time of product collection.
Personalised information and advice from pharmacies is key to promoting the use of these products and encouraging their correct use, especially for first-time users. It will also serve to eradicate the stigma surrounding menstruation and to break myths and taboos about menstruation, which can have serious consequences on women’s health, such as the false belief that it is normal for menstruation to be painful. The training of pharmacists is also intended to promote public awareness of menstruation and the menstrual cycle in a positive way, and to contribute to eradicating the stigma surrounding menstruation. ”The participation of pharmacies in this measure will highlight the role of pharmacists as local and trustworthy healthcare agents and will boost the joint efforts carried out with the public system to contribute to making the world a healthier place”, declared the president of the CCFC.
A pioneering plan for menstrual and climacteric equity
The free distribution of reusable menstrual products is part of the Comprehensive Menstrual and Climacteric Equity Plan 2023-2025, promoted by the Ministry of Equality and Feminisms with the participation of all ministries. The plan contains some 60 measures and sets out actions in seven areas: menstrual education in childhood, adolescence and youth; menstrual education in the field of social-community intervention; accessibility to suitable products and areas such as universal distribution of reusable products and the installation of organic menstrual product dispensers in public facilities and services; measures in the field of employment; training of professionals; the promotion of research and knowledge, and dissemination and awareness raising.
This work plan is part of the implementation of the National Strategy on Sexual and Reproductive Rights, which further elaborates on recognised rights and also introduces new ones, such as the right to menstrual equity.