"Deconstructing taboos", making the composition of periodic protections more transparent and promoting their free distribution to women in precarious situations: a parliamentary report made public on Tuesday makes 47 recommendations so that the rules are less "generating anxiety and suffering" for women.
"Informing as soon as possible is best"
This subject has "nothing anecdotal" in terms of health and economics, say the two authors of this report, adopted by the delegation for women's rights of the National Assembly. Laëtitia Romeiro Dias (LREM) and Bénédicte Taurine (LFI) say they are convinced that "insufficient attention to the issue of menstruation contributes to perpetuating inequalities between women and men".
Deploring an "insufficient knowledge" of girls and women on this subject, in particular concerning the "diversity of protective products", "usage and hygiene precautions" or "health risks", the deputies recommend that the cycle menstrual is systematically approached from the 6th grade, and that a public website is created to deliver "fun and accessible information".
"Informing as soon as possible is best, first of all by decorrelating this issue of sex education," Laëtitia Romeiro Dias told AFP. "It is not uncommon for girls to have their first period in CM2, when often they are only spoken to in grade 4," added the deputy, for whom "we must also talk to boys, who will become fathers and must be able to answer their daughters' questions. "
A recycling system for hygienic protections
Because of the risk of "toxic shock" induced by the use of certain periodic protections, manufacturers should be required to mention on packaging the possible presence of traces of toxic substances. A "clear pictogram" should also inform users that the internal protections - pads and cups - should not be used for too long, and especially not at night. The authors of the report also suggest the development of a "recycling channel for absorbent hygienic protections in France".
To remedy the problem of "menstrual insecurity", they are proposing the installation of menstrual protection dispensers in certain public places, to which homeless women could have access thanks to prepaid cards. Middle school, high school and university students should also be able to access free protections in their establishments. Finally, the rapporteurs recommend strengthening the training of general practitioners and gynecologists regarding endometriosis, a pathology which leads to very painful periods, and whose diagnosis is often late.