Scotland is on course to become the first country in the world to offer free period products to its citizens.
The groundbreaking legislation started with a bill put forward by Scottish Labour Party MP Monica Lennon. Lennon is a long-time period poverty campaigner and endeavoured to make products such as tampons and sanitary pads freely available in schools, colleges and universities.
The bill gained support from the Nicola Sturgeon-led Scottish National Party (SNP), which holds the most seats in Scottish Parliament. Sturgeon has a history of support for these sorts of measures. In 2017 she announced that period products would be made available in schools, colleges and universities.
Watch: Surviving period poverty (BBC News)
The news from Scotland follows the newly announced provision of tampons, sanitary pads and other period products to state schools and colleges across England. The Department for Education introduced the scheme in late January in order to address period poverty.
Period poverty, put simply, is a situation in which individuals from low-income families are forced to miss school (or other essential commitments) due to their inability to obtain the necessary sanitary products.
The SNP is predicting the universal period products scheme could cost around £24m a year. This led to some initial resistance to Lennon’s bill. However, with the Scottish Conservatives, the Scottish Green Party and the Scottish Liberal Democrats all in favour, the SNP also threw their weight behind it.
Bit like loo roll and soap really… not optional. https://t.co/o9PTGYjHdn
— Emma Barnett (@Emmabarnett) February 26, 2020
“Scotland has already taken important steps towards improving access to period products and tackling stigma,” said Lennon. “Legislation will guarantee rights, ensure that current initiatives continue in future on a universal basis, and will help us achieve period dignity for all.”
All parties backed the bill on February 25. However, a number of amendments will likely be made before it gets enshrined in law.
