Posted at 4:00 p.m
Catherine Handfield The Press
Three of the major provincial parties have committed themselves in their election programs to facilitating access to menstrual products. The Parti Québécois wants to make them available “to everyone who needs them” in schools and organizations. The Quebec Liberal Party “on all campuses” and Québec solidaire promise free use of all products, “reusable or not”.
Nothing of the sort appears on the Coalition avenir Québec electoral platform, but the media relations team is ensuring that during a possible next term, the CAQ government will “continue efforts to improve access [aux] menstrual products”.
Free menstrual products are not a new concept. For about seven years, and especially in the last two years, people have mobilized to facilitate access to these basic needs.
“If we look abroad, we see that this works in some countries,” observes Élise Brunot, project manager of Le Fil rouge, a campaign by the Quebec Action Network for Health of Women (RQASF) dedicated to menstrual insecurity. “Consciousness is starting to be truly global. »
1/5
One in five menstruators in Quebec has used alternative means (toilet paper, tissue) to protect themselves due to the price of menstrual products.
Source: Portrait of the experience of menstruation in Quebec, RQASF
Scotland forerunner
The area going furthest to democratize access to menstrual products is undoubtedly Scotland. Since the summer and under legislation passed by Parliament in 2020, Scotland’s 32 councils (local authorities) have been obliged to give free access to tampons and pads to “anyone who needs them”.
Kenya remains a pioneer in this area as well: menstrual products have been tax-free since 2004 (which only happened in Canada in 2015) and the country has been offering pads to its female students since 2017. South Korea also provides access to towels to its public places, while France, New Zealand and several American states distribute them in schools.
In Canada, British Columbia has been offering free menstrual products to high school students since 2019. Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Ontario and (most recently) Manitoba have followed suit.
25 million
In the 2022 federal budget, the government is providing $25 million over two years to set up a pilot project to make these products available to people who find it difficult to afford them.
Are we behind in Quebec?
“Compared to British Columbia, yes,” replies Élise Brunot, surprised that even France made decisions before Quebec. Still, she said, the case is moving forward. ” Here we are. ”
PHOTO PATRICK SANFAÇON, THE PRESS
Élise Brunot, project manager for Le Fil rouge
It is moving
In its new strategy for equality between men and women (2022-2027), the Secretariat for the Status of Women aims to “facilitate access to single-use and reusable menstrual products” by paying “particular attention to young Girls, students, women and people in precarious situations”. It should be noted that in Quebec, it was Independent MP Catherine Fournier (now Mayor of Longueuil) who brought the record by presenting a motion unanimously approved to the National Assembly in December 2020.
PHOTO PATRICK SANFAÇON, THE PRESS
Washable towels
PHOTO PATRICK SANFAÇON, THE PRESS
There are various menstrual cups on the market.
1/2
Recently, the city of Montreal conducted a pilot project to distribute free products in city buildings. Finally, since 2020, many municipalities in Quebec have been offering grants to buy durable products like washable pads and menstrual cups, but funding is limited and “quickly exhausted,” notes Élise Brunot.
Lack of access to menstrual products can affect girls’ and women’s education and jobs, stresses Élise Brunot. “In fact, during this time it participates in a retreat from public space that returns every month,” she said. “And by making these menstrual products visible and free, we’re just sending the message to the entire population that menstruation is normal and not taboo,” she believes.
$6000
Average cost of menstrual products in Canada over a lifetime.
Source: National Union of Public and General Employees, 2022