Scotland just became the first country in the world to make sanitary products free for all students

Authored by cnbc.com and submitted by ValWenis
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Around the world, lack of access to sanitary products frequently stops students from going to class. Some students miss days of school, and others drop out completely. One UNESCO report estimates that one in 10 girls in sub-Saharan Africa miss 20 percent of the school year because of their period.

Research from children's charity Plan International shows that 45 percent of girls in Scotland have had to use alternatives such as toilet paper, socks and newspaper during their periods because they could not afford to buy sanitary products. One survey from grassroots group Women for Independence found that one in five women in Scotland have experienced "period poverty" — a phenomenon in which people struggle to pay for basic sanitary products on a monthly basis, resulting in a negative impact on their hygiene, health and well-being.

In order to address these issues and "banish the scourge of period poverty," the Scottish government approved a £5.2 million ($6.7 million) initiative that will make sanitary products free at all schools, colleges and universities — making Scotland the first country in the world to do so, according to The Guardian.

"In a country as rich as Scotland, it's unacceptable that anyone should struggle to buy basic sanitary products. I am proud that Scotland is taking this world-leading action to fight period poverty," said Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell in a statement released Friday. "Our £5.2 million investment will mean these essential products will be available to those who need them in a sensitive and dignified way, which will make it easier for students to fully focus on their studies."

breakfastmeat23 on August 29th, 2018 at 06:15 UTC »

I mean it is basic hygiene. You would expect schools to have bathrooms with toilets, toilet paper, soap, sinks and running water right? You must provide students the means of basic human sanitation and it is just a simple biological matter that women need feminine hygiene products when they are on their period. It is like not providing the students with toilet paper, or making them buy it out of a vending machine on the wall. A kid in a public school shouldn't have to worry about being able to afford basic sanitation.

kingmoobot on August 29th, 2018 at 04:26 UTC »

I just want to live in a world where deodorant is free for all transit commuters

SalokinSekwah on August 29th, 2018 at 03:14 UTC »

Pretty surprised this is the first time