Taipei Launches Subsidies for Feminine Hygiene Products 北市女國中生 每月免費領200元生理用品

Starting on March 7, female junior high school students in Taipei City will enjoy a NT$200 subsidy for feminine hygiene products.

The bar code from this app provides a NT$200 credit on feminine hygiene products at convenience stores. The app is available to 30,000-plus female junior high school students starting March 7 as part of Taipei City's feminine hygiene product subsidy program.

Wang Chu-hsin, Taipei Junior High School Student: “I think it'll make it less awkward.”

Lin Yen-chun, Taipei Junior High School Student: “I think it'll help, and you can save money on things you need.”

Some countries like Kenya and Canada have taken steps to eliminate "period poverty" by getting rid of taxes on period products. Others provide these products at schools for free. The Taipei City Government wants to implement stronger gender education at the junior high school level and help girls overcome any embarrassment they may feel about their periods.

Huang Shan-shan, Taipei City Deputy Mayor: “Everyone finds it to be a taboo subject. We're doing this to bring discussions out in the open. We want children to know from a young age that there are gender differences, and we want gender equality.”

The credit, available on the Taipei CooC-Cloud app and Taipei PTS platform or for printout at Hi-Life stores, can be used to pick up pads, tampons, and panty liners at convenience stores. Taipei has allocated NT$61 million to the program, which may be expanded to elementary and high schools in the future.

APP上點選簡單步驟，螢幕上跑出來的條碼，拿到便利超商就可以兌換價值200元的生理用品，這是台北市3萬多名的女國中生，從3月7日起就直接受惠的好消息，也是台北市府全新推出的生理用品補助政策。

台北市國中生汪主欣說：「我覺得就是比較不會那麼尷尬。」台北市國中生林妍君表示，「我覺得很有幫助，而且可以把錢省下來，拿去買更有用的東西。」

一生中，女性要比男性多了一筆可觀的生理用品開銷，為了擺脫月經貧窮，像肯亞、加拿大，從女性免稅制度做起，還有國家免費在全國學校廁所提供生理用品，而台北市府也希望學生在國中階段能夠真正落實性別教育，大方到便利超商兌換衛生棉。

台北市副市長黃珊珊指出：「大家會覺得是件害羞的事，這次我們這樣的一個活動，希望說它不再是一件羞於啟齒的事情，我們希望孩子從小他們就知道說這件事情是有男女差異，然後我們希望得到平等。」

包括衛生棉、棉條、護墊，學生每個月都可以透過酷客雲APP、親師生平台、以及到萊爾富機器列印單子等三種方式，到超商免費兌換生理用品，台北市府一共編列6100萬元的預算，未來是否擴及國小或高中，也正在研議當中。