In a pioneering initiative, Spain’s Catalonia region has launched a program providing free reusable menstrual cups, period underwear, and cloth pads at pharmacies, marking one of the world’s first efforts of this kind. The regional government aims to combat “period poverty” following a survey revealing that 44% of women in Catalonia couldn’t afford their preferred menstruation products, and 23% had to reuse single-use products.
Addressing the limited accessibility of menstrual products, often due to cost constraints, lack of washing facilities, or education, the program seeks to prevent girls and women from skipping school or work, reducing the risk of infection and toxic shock syndrome. Ester Miralles, a civil servant, emphasized that if men menstruated, the issue would have been addressed earlier, highlighting the universal impact on all women.
The initiative, benefiting approximately 2.5 million individuals, including girls, women, and those identifying as non-binary or transgender with periods, will offer these products at over 3,300 pharmacies. The move is also geared towards reducing the annual generation of over 9,000 tonnes of waste from used tampons and sanitary pads in Catalonia.
Authorities estimate that women spend €2,500 ($2,713) on sanitary products during their lifetime, and opting for reusable alternatives can cut this cost to around €145. While Scotland pioneered the provision of free sanitary products in 2020, Catalonia’s program represents a milestone as the first to distribute reusable menstrual products at no cost. Spain, in 2022, passed a law mandating the free distribution of menstrual products in schools, prisons, women’s healthcare facilities, and other public institutions.
