MEPs have voted to support Maria Walsh’s proposals to increase EU support for ending period poverty, in line with her recently published ‘Plan for Periods’ strategy.
MEP Maria Walsh is a full member of the European Parliament’s Gender Equality and Women’s Rights (FEMM) Committee and published the ‘Plans for Periods’ strategy to end menstrual poverty last June.
The FEMM Committee voted on the report on ‘Developing a new EU anti-poverty strategy’, to which MEP Walsh submitted several proposals focused on ending period poverty.
The report was voted on by Members of the FEMM e Committee on Monday 13th October and passed by 26 votes in favour and 8 against.
Maria Walsh MEP said:
“Receiving the support of my colleagues on the FEMM Committee shows the level of ambition within the European Parliament to tackle the scourge of menstrual poverty amongst our girls and women. One in four Irish women have experienced period poverty within their lifetime, with the figure rising to 35% impacted between the ages of 15 and 24.
“My proposals called on the European Commission to implement an EU-wide Menstrual Health Strategy to combat menstrual poverty. I published my own strategy earlier this year and have shared it with the Commission.
“The ‘Plan for Periods’ strategy calls on the EU to carry out a range of actions in collaboration with member states. They include ensuring the zero VAT rate on period products is in place across all 27 countries, providing free products in public institutions, mandatory reporting by national authorities and creating a dedicated EU funding to support national health initiatives.
“My proposals passed in the Parliament this week also call on the Commission to mandate the provision of free period products in all public schools, universities and government buildings. I have also called on the Commission to develop workplace policies that acknowledge and address the reality of period poverty. Ultimately, I would like to see workplaces offering menstrual leave for those who need it as well as supports for those experiencing menopause.
“Thousands of women across Ireland go without the very basic menstrual products they need – undermining their personal dignity and confidence. I know that for many, period poverty forces painful trade-offs, with women having to sacrifice essential items in order to afford menstrual care. The EU has the power to end this suffering, we must now see true leadership emerging from the Commission.”
Key highlights from MEP Maria Walsh’s ‘Plan for Periods’ strategy include:
- Removal of VAT on period products across all 27 EU Member States;
- Mandatory reporting and data collection by national statistical offices;
- Free period products in public institutions;
- EU Action Plan integrating menstrual health into EU frameworks;
- EU-wide benchmarks on menstrual product access and education;
- Dedicated EU fund for grassroots and national menstrual health initiatives;
- Workplace guidelines for menstrual leave or flexible working arrangements;
- EU-wide public awareness campaign.