France Reimburses Reusable Period Products

France's social security system will reimburse the cost of reusable menstrual cups and underwear for women under 26 or those with limited income, starting from the next academic year. This measure, approved as part of France's 2024 social security budget, aims to combat period poverty, which affects approximately 6.7 million people in France. The move follows a survey by French charity Dons Solidaires, which revealed that one in ten women in France use inadequate alternatives due to financial constraints. While the measure has been approved, the lack of an implementation decree has caused some concern among feminist groups and manufacturers. This initiative builds on previous efforts by France, such as reducing sales tax on period products in 2016, and aligns with actions taken by other nations like United Kingdom — Scotland, which provides free universal access to period products.