© Céline Spithoven/RTL
The capital was inspired by the municipality of Walferdange, which rolled out free sanitary towels, tampons and condoms as part of a project launched a year ago.
The dispensers were installed in five public toilets in Luxembourg City as part of an initial test phase. They can be found at public bathrooms near the Gëlle Fra, Cercle, Glacis, Place du Théâtre, and in the municipal park near the pirate ship playground. Further dispensers are planned to be added to bathrooms at the Knuedler and the Bock Casemates, once these reopen to the public.
The initiative is designed to make the products available to all, as well as tackling what is often a taboo subject. Access to sanitary products during menstruation is a fundamental right, said Maurice Bauer, the Luxembourg City alderman responsible for social equality between men and women.
Bauer added that although the topic of sanitary products was more openly discussed these days, it still had elements of being a taboo subject. Making the products freely available was therefore an important step towards equality between genders, but also showed support towards those who might have difficulty obtaining the necessary products. In addition, Bauer hoped it would lead to conversations at national level over making menstrual hygiene products available for all, free of charge.
© Céline Spithoven/RTL
The dispensers not only provide free menstrual hygiene items, but also free condoms, which are available in both men's and women's toilets in the capital.
The initiative also envisages the installation of hygiene dispensers at a primary school and after-school care facility, in the next stage of the pilot project. After six months, the situation will be evaluated and the municipal council will consider whether further dispensers should be placed in sports and culture centres.
Video report in Luxembourgish.
