The pilot project launched by the municipality is very popular. Nearly 6,000 products were distributed in the first six months, which demonstrates that there is a real need.
The municipality of Luxembourg City launched a campaign to reduce stigma associated with menstruation and contraception.
Since 2022, condoms and period products are freely available at vending machines located in the capital's public restrooms. After six months, the project has already proven to be highly popular and raises the question if something similar could be implemented at a national level.
Since January, six public toilets in the city have been offering sanitary pads, tampons, and condoms free of charge. The municipality is satisfied, with Maurice Bauer, a member of the municipal executive and in charge of gender equality, stating that the machines have distributed "almost 6,000 products" so far. Bauer explains that the municipality wants to make these products available because it thinks those who need them should be able to access them at any given moment and know where they are available.
In times of crises and price increases, the municipality wants to ensure that people who are struggling financially also have access to period products and condoms.
At the national level, all contraceptives will be available for free from next year. This includes birth control pills, IUDs, but also procedures such as a vasectomy or sterilisation. In addition, the distribution of free condoms in various public places will be increased. However, Planning Familial claims that condoms in particular are losing favour with young people, which is leading to an increase in the incidence of STDs.
Minister of Health Paulette Lenert states that while the Ministry does not have data on this phenomenon, the authorities track STDs, and those figures seem to confirm this trend. In this context, Lenert is considering new campaigns to increase awareness of the topic again.
Meanwhile, Maurice Bauer from the Christian Social People's Party (CSV) believes that, in line with Scotland's recent lead, period products should be available for free across the country.
While Lenert "welcomes" the idea of distributing period products for free, she clarified that there are currently no plans for a law to this effect.
In the last 6 months, the city of Luxembourg has also piloted offering free period products in a primary school and a children's home. There, too, it was found that the offer was well received. In fact, Bauer wants to propose to the Council to implement the project in all schools and homes of the capital.
