The Ministry of Education has invested hundreds of millions of yuan this year to provide free sanitary products for disadvantaged students, benefiting about 95,000 people.

(Photo by reporter Lin Xiaoyun)

[Reporter Lin Xiaoyun/Taipei Report] Today is the 38th Women's Day. The Ministry of Education announced today that it will inject a total of about 102 million yuan. Since August 1 this year (the new school year), it will implement the "Friendly Provide Diversified Physiological Supplies Project". Disadvantaged students in schools at all levels distribute sanitary napkins and other multiple sanitary products, which are estimated to benefit 95,000 people; schools at all levels and venues affiliated to the Ministry of Education will also set up designated points to provide urgently needed supplies, and gradually deepen menstruation education on campus.

Minister of Education Pan Wenzhong also stated in the Legislative Yuan Educational Council that he supports the improvement of gender-friendly toilets in principle, so as to make the campus gender equality move forward.

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Xie Changyun, Section Chief of the Department of Student Affairs and Special Education of the Ministry of Education, explained that the Ministry of Education focuses on the intertwined issues of menstrual poverty and disadvantaged persons in CEDAW, and provides free sanitary supplies to disadvantaged students and respects students for disadvantaged students and students with acute needs In addition to the choice of personal usage habits, it also teaches and recognizes different types of sanitary products, and develops caring, counseling and educational measures to reduce students' physical and mental distress during menstruation.

Xie Changyun said that for disadvantaged students in schools below high school, sanitary products will be provided individually, and the method of supply can be physical products or coupons. The local government or school will evaluate and consider each place, school area location, etc. while taking into account the different needs of students. Due to differences in environment and resources, the Ministry of Education has reported to the Executive Yuan for full subsidies to local governments by planning a suitable and friendly provision method that is tailored to local conditions.

Xie Changyun explained that the disadvantaged students of colleges and universities are mainly targeted at the "School Assistance Plan for Disadvantaged Students of Colleges and Universities", and the subsidies for multiple physiological supplies are included in the living stipends in the plan; for students in urgent need, the school can It also adopts fixed-point access and fixed-point sales.

The venues affiliated to the Ministry of Education adopt fixed-point pick-up for those who enter the museum in urgent need. Menstrual supplies are placed at the service desk, breastfeeding room, and medical room, etc., and the public can ask the service staff to obtain them; the Ministry of Education also continues to encourage venues to conduct fixed-point sales. Improve the convenience that the public urgently needs.

Xie Changyun said that the Ministry of Education will also strengthen educational measures on human rights, gender equality, menstruation, and the correct use of sanitary products for all students, implement cross-disciplinary and topical teaching, and develop supplementary teaching materials, shoot teaching videos, provide teachers with teaching resources, and improve their professionalism Knowledge and strengthening of related services; combined with non-governmental organizations and network resources, jointly promote campus gender equality, menstrual education, etc., enhance mutual understanding, respect, and tolerance among students, and create a friendly environment to deepen campus menstrual education and practice the value of gender equality.