Catalonia on Monday began providing free reusable menstrual cups, maternity underwear and cloth sanitary napkins in pharmacies, in one of the first initiatives of its kind in the world.
This program is part of the regional government's efforts to reduce
"period poverty".
Spanish elected officials rely on a survey, according to which 44% of women using menstrual products in Catalonia could not afford to buy the product of their choice and that 23% of them declared having to reuse products designed for single use.
Limited availability of products to collect menstrual blood - often due to cost, lack of washing facilities or education - can lead to girls and women not attending school or work and increases the risk of infection and toxic shock syndrome.
2.5 million people affected
Women can spend 2,500 euros on sanitary products over their lifetime, while opting for reusable products reduces this cost to around 145 euros, according to authorities.
The initiative in the northeast region will benefit around 2.5 million people – girls, women and people who identify as non-binary or transgender and who menstruate – who will be able to find the products in more than 3,300 pharmacies.
This measure also aims to reduce the more than 9,000 tonnes of waste generated each year in Catalonia by used tampons and sanitary napkins.
In 2020, Scotland became the first country in the world to offer free sanitary products, but the Catalan government assured it was the first time reusable menstrual products had been distributed for free.
In 2022, Spain passed a law stating that menstrual products should be distributed free of charge in schools, prisons, women's health care centers and other public institutions.