France to Provide Free Reusable Period Products to Young Women

• France to cover costs of reusable menstrual products for women under 26
• Scheme to benefit about 6.7 million people from the 2024/25 school year
• Delay in rollout draws criticism from feminist groups

The French Government announced that the country’s social security system would cover the cost of reusable menstrual cups and underwear for women and girls under the age of 26 or women living in poverty.

This plan is anticipated to assist 6.7 million people or 9.7 percent of France's 69 million population, beginning with the beginning of the 2024/2025 school year in the fall.

The reimbursement will be applicable to all women under the age of 26 with state health insurance, as well as women of any age who receive additional health care support due to low income, who will receive reimbursements for the purchases of these products at the pharmacy and provide receipts as evidence of purchase.

The legislation, which is effective as part of the French National Assembly's social security budget for the 2024 financial year, was approved by the French Parliament in 2024. However, many feminist organisations and companies that produce sustainable sanitary products are outraged by the lack of a government decree to implement the new law.

According to a report by the French charity Dons Solidaires about a survey done on 4,000 females in France during November 2018, one-tenth of the total sample size reported using non-traditional means to manage their menstrual cycle due to monetary constraints.

Additionally, the VAT was lowered from 20 percent down to 5.5 percent for menstrual products in France in 2016, and Scotland was the first country globally to provide free access to sanitary supplies in Government facilities as a right under law in 2020.