{"id":2318,"date":"2025-06-04T08:23:25","date_gmt":"2025-06-04T07:23:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mariawalsh.eu\/?p=2318"},"modified":"2025-06-04T08:24:35","modified_gmt":"2025-06-04T07:24:35","slug":"mep-maria-walsh-launches-plan-for-periods-to-end-menstrual-poverty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mariawalsh.eu\/ga\/mep-maria-walsh-launches-plan-for-periods-to-end-menstrual-poverty\/","title":{"rendered":"MEP Maria Walsh launches Plan for Periods to end menstrual poverty"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

1 in 4 Irish women have experienced period poverty in their lifetime<\/em><\/strong>
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An EU-wide menstrual health strategy is needed to end period poverty, MEP Maria Walsh has said as she published her <\/strong>Plan for Periods <\/em><\/strong>proposal in Brussels. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Menstrual poverty affects an estimated 10% of the menstruating population in the EU, while 24% of Irish women have experienced an indicator of period poverty – rising to 35% for those between the ages of 15 and 24. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

MEP Walsh is a full member of the European Parliament\u2019s Gender Equality & Women\u2019s Rights Committee and submitted her menstrual health strategy proposal to the European Commission today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

MEP Walsh also submitted a question on the issue to Commissioners Hadja Lahbib and Oliv\u00e9r V\u00e1rhelyi which was signed by 32 MEPs from across political groups in the European Parliament. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

MEP Maria Walsh said:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have today submitted my Plan for Periods<\/em> menstrual health strategy to the European Commission. This proposal sets out a clear roadmap for the EU to eliminate, and ultimately eradicate, period poverty. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPlan for Periods<\/em> 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThousands of women across Ireland go without the very basic menstrual products they need, seriously undermining their personal comfort, 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs the data shows, it is younger and marginalised women that are most vulnerable; 35% of Irish women between the ages of 15 and 24 have experienced period poverty in their life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMenstrual poverty is an issue shrouded in shame and stigma. The Plan for Periods<\/em> proposal aims to break the silence, challenge taboos and finally put an end to period poverty for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key highlights of the \u2018Plan for Periods\u2019 include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n