- The Brittany region and the rectorate wish that all high schools in the region install distributors of free periodic protection.
- Marguerite et Cie, based in Finistère, is the only company to offer this solution.
- Its founder would like to educate young women to use organic products that respect their bodies and the planet.
“When I was young, we didn't have such free speech. Today, adolescent girls talk freely about their period. The subject is less and less taboo. Even the boys approach him. Gaële Le Noane, 44, has seen mentalities change over the years. Based in Lesconil, in Finistère, the founder of Marguerite et Cie has become the specialist in distributors of biological hygienic protection. First present at Rennes 2 University and in all of the Crous de Bretagne, its devices gradually conquered France. Colleges, universities but also companies and social landlords have installed them to offer free hygienic protections to women.
Little by little, the idea of fighting menstrual precariousness is spreading. Friday, the Brittany region and the Rennes academy announced their wish that the practice be generalized in all Breton high schools. “A dozen high schools have already appeared. We feel that there is a real interest in the subject. Our desire is to generalize the installation of distributors in all our establishments, ”we explain to the region. The community intends to finance the purchase and organize the installation of the equipment. It is up to high schools to pay for the pads and towels offered free of charge to high school girls.
"Educating women" in organic products
For the founder of Marguerite et Cie, the challenge is twofold. Gaële Le Noane first wishes to wage "a feminist fight", believing that periodic protection should be free. But also “educate” young women to use organic products. This former speech-language pathologist changed paths a few years ago when she discovered the disturbing cocktail of substances contained in commercial tampons and pads. “It's made of 80% plastic. It is dangerous for our body, but also for the planet, ”continues Gaële Le Noane. Designed by Natracare, all products are biodegradable, compostable and organic.
The history of women is also the history of their periods.
This is what tells the Youtuber passionate about history and archeology Charlie Danger @revuesdumonde. pic.twitter.com/HEeP4233v8
At Rennes 2 University, the first French institution to have positioned itself on the issue, around thirty distributors have been installed. For this first year of testing, the university was even a victim of its success. “It shows that there is a wait. We are going to quadruple our human resources so that distributors are filled more often, ”explains Fabien Caillé, student vice-president of the university. In Rennes 2, tampons and towels have been placed in the toilets "to be as accessible as possible". “The idea is to make it natural. Let no one be embarrassed, ”assumes Gaële Le Noane.
At Rennes 2, the first supply contract was estimated at 20,000 euros. The founder of Marguerite et Cie, for her part, mentions an average budget of "one euro per month per student".
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