Alderman Bauer Discusses Free Sanitary Products, Condoms in Public Installations

On Thursday 25 August 2022, Chronicle.lu had the opportunity to speak with Maurice Bauer, alderman at the City of Luxembourg (Ville de Luxembourg - VdL), about the motivation and success behind the pilot project for women to avail of free sanitary products and condoms in six public installations across the Luxembourg city.

Speaking about the origins and motivations behind the project, alderman Bauer recalled that, back in 2018, the prestigious Anne Beffort Prize was awarded to the association Voix de Jeunes Femmes which aims to involve young people in the fight against sexism and to denounce the inequalities affecting them. The association also recognised the need to discuss topics such as easy access to sanitary and contraception products at a national level. Luxembourg City decided to follow up on this and one of the outcomes was the current pilot project, which was initiated in January 2022, to make available for women sanitary pads, linings and tampons at public toilets within the City of Luxembourg free of cost.

Noting the success of the project, alderman Bauer confirmed that, since January 2022, over 12,000 sanitary products and 6,800 condoms has been distributed so far. Condoms are freely available at both men's and women's public toilets.

Alderman Bauer said that the city is a melting pot of people from every sphere of the society, including those who are financially-challenged, homeless, young students and many others, who live in or transit through the city everyday. The pilot project is thus important to reach out to the vulnerable and women of limited financial means, and not to compromise their health. Following on from the Scottish example, where sanitary products are free nationally, and the success of the pilot project, alderman Bauer is encouraging other municipalities and even the government to take similar initiatives.

Discussing on the availability of condoms, alderman Bauer clarified that safe sex is a priority and there should not be an excuse to not have condoms. While available in shops and pharmacies to buy over the counter, free availability of condoms at public installations is helpful for many women.

Alderman Bauer mentioned that a mini-enterprise created by school students in the municipality of Wiltz installed their own dispenser of sanitary products. The City of Luxembourg thus also arranged a similar dispensary in a primary school as part of the pilot project. Following the positive feedback from the school, alderman Bauer would soon table a proposal to the College of Alderman to avail such dispensaries across all primary schools.

Alderman Bauer agreed that free sanitary products could be made available through other outlets, such as restrooms in restaurants and through municipal sports halls, and through Pharmacies as well, but he needs the respective responsible agencies to participate in, and support, the initiative.

The six public toilets with free sanitary products for women are located at WC Cercle, WC near the Pirateship (Piratescheff), WC Knuedeler, WC gëlle Fra (Golden Lady / Place de la Constitution), WC Glacis and WC Theaterplatz.