What is menstrual poverty?

Menstrual poverty is a little-known reality, affecting millions of women around the world, including in France. Characterized by inaccessibility or difficulty in accessing periodic protections, menstrual poverty affects 4 million women in France (Ministry responsible for equality between women and men and the fight against discrimination, 2024), especially women in the situation of precariousness social, homeless women or students in financial difficulty.

In 2023, nearly 1 young French woman out of 2 is experiencing difficulties in providing themselves with protections. Among them, 330,000 young women do not have regular access to the periodic protections they need.
‍Elementary rules

This reality, which is often underestimated, highlights the urgency of implementing sustainable solutions.

In France, a law came into force in 2024 to guarantee free menstrual protection for female students. However, the reimbursement of reusable pads, provided for women under 26, is drawing criticism. Indeed, several associations denounce the exclusion of women over the age of 26, a limit that illustrates the complexity of the subject and the need for continuous dialogue to find lasting and inclusive solutions.

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How to fight against menstrual poverty with your company?

In business, it is also possible to contribute to the fight against menstrual poverty by implementing actions to engage employees. Discover ways of action to be carried out between colleagues!

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Hygiene product collections with Elementary Rules

Collections can be easily organized with your employees and mobilize them around the fight against menstrual poverty.

Some examples of material donations to collect from your employees:

• Organize corporate collections : Elementary rules suggests that businesses set up collection points within the premises. Employees are encouraged to donate periodic protections such as tampons, pads, or menstrual cups. This approach makes it possible to raise awareness among teams about menstrual poverty while collecting products to redistribute them to women in need.
• Participate in a supermarket collection : Employees can also organize their own collection (in groups of at least 3) directly in supermarkets: by setting up a stand at the entrance of stores, encouraging customers to buy additional menstrual pads which will then be collected by the association and redistributed to women in precarious situations.

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Financial support to the Women's Foundation

Associations depend on financial support to carry out their actions in the field, throughout the year.

La Women's Foundation frequently organizes campaigns and fundraisers dedicated to the fight for equality between women and men and for women's rights. En financially participating, you allow the implementation of concrete actions, locally and throughout France.

You can also organize an internal collection of donations, financed by your company, to mobilize all your employees in favor of the fight against menstrual poverty.

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Skills sponsorship for associations to protect women's health

Associations need both financial and human support to continue their mission.

Here are some examples of actions to suggest to your colleagues:

• Collaborating with health professionals: theADSF works with professional health volunteers, such as gynecologists, specialized nurses, or other experts in the field of women's health. These professionals can contribute their expertise and support the women supported by the association.
• Sharing specific skills: Experts in management, communication, digital or marketing can offer their skills to strengthen the organizational capacities of associations such as the Maison des Femmes or the ADSF. Do not hesitate to contact them directly to find out their needs and offer them your support.

Also to read:
15 actions to mobilize your company for gender equality?
Mapping gender equality in business

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Internal commitments to support employees

In addition to supporting associations, companies can act directly on their premises to promote the equality and well-being of employees:

• Provision of free menstrual protection : offer tampons, pads and menstrual cups in company toilets, accessible to all, in order to reduce the difficulties associated with accessing hygiene products;
• Internal awareness : organize workshops or information sessions on menstrual poverty and taboos around periods to create an inclusive and respectful environment;
• Organization of working time : offer devices such as menstrual leave or flexible hours for employees who experience pain or discomfort related to periods;

These actions help to normalize the discussion about menstruation, reduce stigma, and support collaborators on a daily basis.

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Associations mobilized in the face of menstrual poverty

Faced with menstrual poverty, many associations play an essential role in breaking taboos, raising awareness among the general public and supporting the women concerned. Among them:

• The association Elementary rules is committed to sensitize the public to menstrual poverty and to break the taboo around periods. The association collects donations of periodical products from businesses and individuals to redistribute them to people affected by menstrual poverty;
• The association Menstru'Elles seeks to sustainably improve the living conditions of women by fighting against menstrual poverty in France and around the world. It offers workshops to sew washable sanitary pads for precarious people, team training for menstrual poverty... Its objective is to free speech around the taboo of periods.
• La Women's Foundation Work forequality between women and men, by implementing actions to support women and fight against the various forms of discrimination and the violence they may face. The Women's Foundation actively supports associations and initiatives aimed at guaranteeing access to menstrual hygiene products for all women, regardless of their financial situation;
• THEADSF (Agir pour la Santé des Femmes) is an association that promotes access to health care, especially for women in precarious situations. While ADSF does not focus exclusively on menstrual poverty, it works holistically to improve women's health, addressing various aspects of reproductive and women's health.

Also to read: How to mobilize your employees with associations?

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Komeet: your ally for a successful engagement program!

Do you want to engage your employees with associations to fight against menstrual poverty? Komeet supports you in setting up your engagement program!

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