Three dispensers of free menstrual protection are set up in the city of Issoudun. Municipal public reception areas to allow women to go there with confidence: The municipal center for social action, the social living space and the LIPPI, the place for health information.
Pads changed every 24 hours
“We know that some women buy less protection, if they buy less it means they wear less“explains Fanny Ries, health mission manager for the joint union of the country of Issoudun and Berry champagne. She continues: “Or not at all, or that they use newspaper, or toilet paper for some“.
“We know that sometimes tampons are only changed every 24 hours“, it is advisable to change it every six hours: “which can cause problems with yeast infections and sometimes more serious things“.
A particularly taboo subject
Menstruation remains a particularly taboo subject, however: “all women have a story to tell with their periods“says Fanny Ries”This is a topic that needs to be on the table“.
Sanitary protection dispensers take the form ofa box Navy blue. Four options : two pads adapted to different flows and two types of tampons, one with and one without applicator. The “self-service” system allows women who wish to do so to remain discreet. The targeted places to be able to find advice if needed. The protections come from an association “Marguerite & cie”: “They are organic and made in France in an ESAT“says Fanny Ries. An order over 18 months was launched, which is intended to be extended.
This experiment responds to a call for projects launched by the State. The city of Issoudun hopes to be able to extend it to other places. In particular, discussions are underway to allow schools to come to the aid of adolescent girls.