Civic Group Proposes Allowance for Menstrual Products for Young Women

TaiwanPlus News

A civic group in Taiwan says a voucher for young women aged 16-22 to redeem sanitary items should replace a current policy which offers free sanitary items to mainly financially struggling students. But some eligible for the voucher say cash doesn’t help in an emergency.

Transcript

00:00How much do you spend on menstrual products every year?

00:05It's a necessity, but an extra cost for women around the world,

00:09especially for those struggling to make ends meet.

00:12While help is already in place in Taiwan,

00:14civic groups here say it's a gender equality issue.

00:18They're calling for universal relief for all girls aged 16 to 22.

00:30The current policy, implemented by the Education Ministry in 2023,

00:36allocates over 8 million U.S. dollars each year.

00:40It suggests schools of all levels put sanitary items up for grabs

00:43in clean, convenient locations.

00:46But this group says those measures can backfire if not done properly.

00:49We're going to be able to make a decision for students who are not able to make a decision.

00:55And the decision for students who are not able to make a decision.

00:58Instead, they're proposing vouchers worth about 40 U.S. dollars per year

01:06for teenage girls and young women,

01:08hoping the government will increase the age limit to benefit more people.

01:12While some eligible for the voucher are happy to see some assistance,

01:16they also say cash doesn't help in emergencies.

01:18The expenses are quite high. I think it's quite a help.

01:23We don't need to take care of these things.

01:26But I think it's more often that it's more like everyone's love to be able to make a decision.

01:31That's why I think it's not a mistake.

01:36I think it's not the same thing.

01:38Because if you put in there, it means that there is no one忘記 to buy.

01:42We don't want to buy. We don't want to buy.

01:44We don't want to buy. We don't want to buy.

01:48We don't want to buy.

01:50We don't want to buy.

01:52Others say the money is little help.

01:55And the focus should be on making sure the products already being provided are accessible and safe to use.

02:00The current policy isn't binding,

02:17which means it's up to schools to figure out how and if they provide free products.

02:22It's also not original.

02:24In 2020, Scotland set an example by offering free tampons and pads in pharmacies and community centers to anyone who needs them.

02:32Sweden also started offering these products to its female conscripts in 2023.

02:37About 9% of women in Taiwan struggle to buy sanitary items for their monthly needs.

02:42While that's less than other countries in Asia,

02:44it still has some way to go to make sure women and girls are safe and healthy.

02:48Ryan Wu and Irene Lin in Taipei for Taiwan Plus.

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