All Czech schools will be required to provide free sanitary pads

By: Trademagazin Date: 2025. 08. 22. 10:43

Starting in January, Czech educational institutions will be required to provide free sanitary pads in all restrooms used by girls over the age of nine, as well as in all restrooms shared by both boys and girls. The recently adopted amendment, initiated by students and civil organizations, was signed on Friday by Czech Health Minister Vlastimil Válek.

Several educational institutions, in cooperation with their maintainers, had already introduced this measure voluntarily, but from January it will be mandatory in all schools, according to the ministry’s statement.

“Menstruation is not a matter of choice, but a natural part of life, and no schoolgirl should have to miss classes, resort to improvised solutions, or be afraid to ask teachers for help because of it.”

– stated Vlastimil Válek. In his remarks, he emphasized that the goal is to raise hygiene standards in Czech schools and to reduce absenteeism among girls due to menstruation.

Under the current regulations, Czech schoolgirls may request leave from their teachers during menstruation, which does not count as an absence.