In 2021, “around 2 million women” were victims of menstrual precariousness, recalls the association Rules Elementary Monday on franceinfo.
“Nearly 4 million women in France are victims of menstrual precariousness”, says Monday April 17 on franceinfo Maud Leblon, director of Elementary Rules, an association that fights against menstrual poverty. They are twice as numerous as during the last census of the association, in 2021, due in particular to inflation, explains Maud Leblon. Feminine hygienic protections (tampons, towels) have indeed increased by 20 cents on average over one year, according to the consumption monitoring firm NielsenIQ, partner of franceinfo and France Bleu. The association Rules Elementary calls for a “large response”.
franceinfo: Has menstrual poverty increased with inflation?
Maud Leblon: Nearly 4 million women in France are victims of menstrual precariousness, they have financial difficulties to have enough periodic protections to protect themselves during their periods. This is a rising number. In 2021, we were around 2 million women victims of menstrual precariousness. It almost doubled. Probably because women themselves identify more with this situation, but also, and surely, because of inflation.
In your opinion, is this a forgotten product of the anti-inflationary baskets?
Menstrual products are essential products. However, they are among the most inflationary products. This is very rarely offered in anti-inflation baskets. In those to which we had access, it was not. Sometimes there are less essential hygiene products, hair gel, hairspray, but no period protection. This is what we are fighting for, to make this subject known and to break the taboo around menstruation.
Reusable periodic protection (panties and cups) will be reimbursed from 2024 for those under 25 years of age. Are you going in the right direction?
We hailed it as soon as the government announced it in early March. It is a strong measure which makes it possible to create a right for each person under the age of 25. But what about the rest of the women? According to our study, there is indeed a quarter of women under 25 who are in a situation of menstrual precariousness, but there are three-quarters who are over 25 years old. That represents 3 million people in France. What do we offer for these women? Nearly one woman out of three finds herself, in the last twelve months, in a situation of menstrual precariousness.
What do you want from the authorities?
A major response is needed in this context of high inflation. The consequences are very important. It must be remembered. Not having enough protection is not being able to go to work, it’s not being able to leave your home, it’s using the protection badly, for too long. It’s putting yourself at risk of infection. It is a health risk. It is very important to point the finger at this scourge. We can fix it.