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Scotland becomes first country in the world to make period products free for all

Photo credit: Megan Madden / Refinery29 for Getty Images
Photo credit: Megan Madden / Refinery29 for Getty Images

From Cosmopolitan

Scotland has become the first country in the world to offer free and universal period products in a bid to tackle period poverty.

Today, MPs voted unanimously in favour of the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill, meaning there is now a legal duty for local authorities such as schools and universities to ensure that period products such as tampons and sanitary pads are available to "anyone who needs them"

The move comes after a four-year campaign led by Scottish Labour’s health spokeswoman, Monica Lennon. She said:"Periods don't stop for pandemics and the work to improve access to essential tampons, pads and reusables has never been more important."

Research from Plan UK in 2017 found that about 10% of girls in the UK have been unable to afford period products; 15% have struggled to afford them; and 19% have changed to a less suitable product due to cost. Meanwhile, period poverty is believed to have surged during the coronavirus crisis.

While Lennon praised the movement as “world-leading” and “ground-breaking”, she also noted that "our next steps must be ensuring women’s health in general remains high on the political agenda in Scotland and that we end all stigma around menstruation. This should start with menstrual wellbeing education in all schools."

Scotland’s Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell hailed the passing of the legislation as a “significant moment for gender equality”.

The move comes months after the government announced that tampon tax – the VAT charged on the sale of sanitary products – will be abolished in the UK as of 2021.

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