Access to necessities shouldn’t be a luxury, and the Philippines is finally taking steps to make menstrual products accessible to all. A bill seeking to provide free access to menstrual products has been filed in the Senate early this week. Here’s what we know about Senate Bill 2475 so far.

Senate Bill 2475

A bill has been filed in the Senate seeking to provide for women and female students free access to menstrual products.

Under the bill, the DepEd is mandated to provide free menstrual products to female students while the DOH is likewise tasked to provide the same in every… pic.twitter.com/QU9PcW9kwb

— GMA Integrated News (@gmanews) December 26, 2023

According to reports, under the bill, the Department of Education will be tasked to provide free menstrual products to female students. Meanwhile, the Department of Health is to do the same for females in every Barangay Health Center, particularly those who do not have the means to buy them.

“It is time that we also advocate for the normalization of menstrual health and hygiene needs of menstruators from our country. It is time we prioritize the health of our girls and women by providing free-of-charge menstrual products to public school students and made available in public health centers,” said Senator JV Ejercito, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography.

He added that the taboo around menstruation “[has] made great negative impact on the lives of girls and women, thus reinforcing gender inequality and exclusion.”

Ejercito also listed the importance of enacting this bill into law. When women are given access to safe and free menstrual products, it decreases their risk of infection and boosts their reproductive and overall health.

Pinoys react to the news

“Something half of the population needs should not be kept expensive, inaccessible, and stigmatized. While we’re at it, please also include menstrual products in hygiene kits and relief packs for distribution,” said one X user.

“Yes, please! Can they also give menstrual products to those in jail? Period poverty is real, and I’m embarrassed I just knew about it this year,” posted another.

“Push this! Men do have free condoms & libreng tuli. Women naman,” wrote one X user.

Others are excited and looking forward to the resolution: “The amount of money I would save when this bill passes.”

“Sana mapasa, at sana Kotex ung libre choz,” joked another.

“Sana may cups din or any reusable period products not just disposable pads para hindi rin more more more basura,” said another.

How about menstrual leave?

Aside from providing free menstrual products, there’s also an existing bill that seeks to grant females the privilege of menstrual leave. Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Arlene Brosas filed the Menstrual Leave Act (House Bill 7758) last March 2023. If enacted into law, all female employees in public and private sectors will be granted a menstrual leave of two days per month with 100% daily remuneration.

What do you think of the bill for free menstrual products? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!

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