Instead of a sanitary package – a sock. A pilot project for the provision of free hygiene products has been started in Aizkraukle and Balvo – Family, well-being

In May 2024, a pilot project will be implemented in the schools of Aizkraukle and Balvu districts, during which girls aged 11-19 will have access to feminine hygiene products free of charge. Studies show that 1 in 6 girls have missed school because they could not buy these items due to the family’s financial circumstances. The main goal of the pilot project is to find the most successful way to supply and distribute hygiene products in preparation for January 1, 2025, when the government has potentially promised to provide the products in schools for free. The Minister of Welfare of the Republic of Latvia Uldis Augulis, the Chairperson of the Cooperation Network of Latvian Women’s Non-Governmental Organizations, Inete Ielīte, representatives of Aizkraukles and Balvu counties, etc. participated in the presentation of the pilot project.

Inability to buy hygiene products for girls is one of the most common factors hindering the education of schoolgirls. Especially this problem can be observed in the regions of Latvia. The lack of necessary hygiene products causes physical and emotional experiences for girls, as a result of which they are “pushed” out of normal life. Including not being able to attend school. This limits girls’ right to education, participation in everyday social life and self-development.

“Nowadays, it is unacceptable that girls are punished for their physiological characteristics and the family’s financial situation by staying at home during menstruation or replacing sanitary products with toilet paper, cotton wool or even socks! As part of the pilot project, hygiene products will be available to 1,500 girls free of charge for one month in 13 schools of Aizkraukle district and 12 schools of Balvu district. With this project, we want to find out both the most efficient way to distribute goods and the most convenient way to place them in schools. The opinions of girls, teachers and municipalities are extremely important to us. We hope that the results and suggestions of the pilot project will help the government to push the initiative in the future, marking the required quantity of products, costs, as well as logistical aspects in a timely manner. The importance of the pilot project is also proven by the fact that hygiene product brands OB and Libresse responded to our call by providing the necessary products for the project free of charge. In our opinion, every girl should have a choice – whether she wants to use tampons or packs – because situations tend to be different,” explains Inete Ielīte, chairperson of the cooperation network of Latvian women’s non-governmental organizations.

Discussion participants mention that when solving issues, responsibility is often “shifted” from one responsible organization to another. However, the involvement of all parties is extremely important.

“Girls and society in general are often shy to talk about menstruation and the complications that young women face. However, this should be discussed openly, because it is a matter of respect for girls – future women and mothers. At the moment, 36% of Latvian schools already provide free hygiene products for their own or municipal budgets. In my opinion, they should be provided throughout Latvia, because all girls have the same rights. In order to solve the issue of accessibility, the Ministry of Welfare, the Ministry of Education and Science, and local governments must work together. Only in this way will we be able to achieve the desired result,” marked by Uldis Augulis, Minister of Welfare of the Republic of Latvia.

At the Jūrmala State Gymnasium, free hygiene products, referring to the request of schoolgirls, are available from 2021. On the other hand, from April 1 this year, free hygiene products are available in all schools in Jūrmala. Director of Jūrmala State Gymnasium Ieva Taranda explains that the daily costs for purchasing products are relatively smallwhile the contribution is negligible.

“Availability of hygiene products at school is non-negotiable. It is a necessity. 347 girls between the ages of 11 and 19 study at the Jūrmala State Gymnasium. In a month, these girls use about 540 sanitary napkins. So, this support for girls costs the school 75 euros per month. When the girls tell us what products they are trying to replace hygiene products with, the heart sinks. The amount of monthly support is small compared to other costs and these items should be available free of charge in every educational institution. invites Ieva Taranda.

The results of the pilot project will be collected, presented and presented to the government this summer, continuing to develop the initiative launched in 2023 by the cooperation network of Latvian women’s non-governmental organizations. In the spring of last year, it gained wide support from citizens on the portal Manabalss.lv, obtaining more than 12,000 signatures.

Currently, there are 77,785 girls aged 11 to 19 in Latvia who study in a total of 668 educational institutions.

The Minister of Welfare of the Republic of Latvia Uldis Augulis, Chairman of the Saeima Education, Culture and Science Commission Agita Zariņa-Stūre, Member of the Saeima Social and Labor Affairs Commission Mairita Lūse, Chairperson of the Cooperation Network of Latvian Women’s Non-Governmental Organizations Inete Ielīte, Chairman of the Municipality of Balvu District Sergejs took part in the presentation and discussion of the pilot project. Maksimovs, Balvu County Council Member Ruta Cibule, Aizkraukles County Council Chairman Leons Līdums, Aizkraukles County Interest Education Center Youth Affairs Specialist Līga Kriškijāne, Jūrmala State Gymnasium Director Ieva Taranda and student Laura Trautmane, Andreja Upīša Skrīveru High School Principal Ieviņa Piļka, as well as Riga State Ruta Ramona Vanag, teacher of the 3rd gymnasium classes.

You can watch the recording of the discussion here: https://shorturl.at/ejsFI

Women’s cooperation network