TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan will make period products available in all schools starting Tuesday (Aug.1) and provide additional subsidies for low-income students to purchase supplies they need independently.
The Ministry of Education (MOE) announced on Monday that over NT$100 million (US$3.18 million) would be invested in the provision of menstrual care products in all educational institutions and 10 other venues throughout Taiwan.
Premier Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁) has said that ending period poverty is part of promoting gender equality.
Chen said that improving access to period products and improving education about menstruation aims to reduce the physical and mental burden experienced by women, per UDN.
In addition, schools and universities will create pick-up points for those needing sanitary products at healthcare centers or similar venues.
Scotland became the first country in the world to provide tampons and sanitary pads in all schools in 2020, and New Zealand followed in 2021.
In Asia, Korea, Japan, and Thailand have distributed sanitary products in schools in specific areas, though not nationwide. »