New initiative calls for free feminine hygiene products

Take note – story published 1 year ago

A new initiative on the "ManaBalss" (MyVoice) public democracy platform is calling for widespead provision of free feminine hygiene products.

Based on reports from schools, discussions in the Gender Equality Committee of the Ministry of Welfare and consulting with women in organizations, educational institutions, social services and families where girls are growing up, the cooperation network of Latvian Women's Non-Governmental Organizations is launching the new initiative on the "ManaBalss" platform, calling for the collection of the necessary 10,000 signatures in a month to force the Saeima to consider the proposal.

"International studies indicate that every sixth Latvian girl misses school days or lessons because she does not have access to hygiene products every month. That is why we want to give the opportunity, especially to girls in schools and vocational education institutions, regardless of the material situation of their families, to participate in the educational process. On the other hand, low-income women and girls in a crisis situation, such as refugees from Ukraine, need to be provided with hygiene products every month, thereby equalizing gender-based inequality - additional expenses due to menstruation," says an explanation of the initiaitive.

"This change will significantly reduce absences in schools and vocational education institutions, provide opportunities for women and girls from poor, low-income families to be active in the labor market and participate in educational processes," it adds.

Inete Ielīte, the head of the cooperation network of Latvian women's non-governmental organizations notes: "Monthly hygiene products are not a luxury, they are a necessity . They should be available to all girls and all women, regardless of their financial means, they should be available when girls and women need them."

You can view the proposal and support it if you choose to do so at: https://manabalss.lv/i/2659

 

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