The Government has approved in the Council of Ministers the "free distribution of menstrual hygiene products in primary and secondary schools and health centres", starting from the next academic year, in a measure that could "cover up to 120,000 people".

In a statement, issued after the meeting of the Executive led by Luís Montenegro, it states that "the measure will not exclude anyone based on income or other criteria".

"The estimate of 120,000 people covered is based on women who earn social insertion income and girls with school social work, although other people can access the products", it is further clarified.

The measure, which "comes into force on September 1st", will have a "financial impact in 2024 of 3.4 million euros and in 2025 of 10.1 million euros", the Government said.

In the 'briefing' that followed the meeting of the Council of Ministers, the Minister of Youth and Modernization, Margarida Balseiro Lopes, considered that this measure is "the most basic of social justice".