Dressed as menstrual products to ministers: non-profit organization Rebelle calls for more attention for menstrual poverty | Interior

Figures from Caritas Vlaanderen show that twelve percent of girls and women do not have enough money to buy menstrual products. For girls in poverty, this is almost half. “Because of the inconvenience this brings, they miss days at school or limit their leisure activities,” explains Rebelle.

In 2020, the non-profit organization started a collection campaign and distributed menstrual products in columns throughout Flanders. In total, she placed more than a hundred pillars. “Although more attention has been paid to the theme in the meantime, little is moving at a political level for the time being,” it sounds. That is why the non-profit organization itself goes to a few ministers to point out the urgency of the problem.

The non-profit organization asks that disposable tampons and sanitary towels be made available free of charge in places where people end up in poverty, such as schools, pharmacists, social shops, public toilets and welfare agencies. In addition, the products must be readily available. This means, among other things, that people must be able to obtain products without addressing anyone and that there are no administrative preconditions. Finally, there should be more open talk about menstruation, it sounds.

During the visit of the non-profit organization to the cabinets, they brought menstrual cake and arrived dressed in a matching outfit. You can also read an extensive opinion about their objectives on their website. Linde Merckpoel was also present, she is godmother of the project: “As a feminist I want to tell my daughters that they can do everything boys can do. It all starts with freedom. Menstrual poverty hinders that freedom,” explains Merckpoel.