The Daily Populous Thursday November 26th, 2020 day edition
Authored by forbes.com and submitted by PurpleEngineer

The new law in Scotland rules that period products must be free and accessible to those who need ... [+] them. getty

Studies have estimated that people spend an average of $13.25 a month on period products and over $6,000 in their reproductive lifetimes. As a result of increased costs of menstrual hygiene products and lack of access, hundreds of thousands of people said they’ve experienced period poverty and charities have explained this is only getting worse during Covid-19. However, Scotland became a pioneer in tackling period poverty on Nov. 24 as it became the first country in the world to make period products free for everyone at the point of need.

The Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act was passed on Tuesday after years of advocating by Labour MSP Monica Lennon. She’s been campaigning to end period poverty since 2016. The Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act means that local authorities legally have to provide free period products to people who need them. The products must be easy to access and different types of menstrual hygiene products will be offered with “reasonable dignity.” Councils in North Ayrshire have already been offering free period products in public places since 2018.

Monica Lennon is also Scottish Labour’s health spokeswoman and after the bill was unanimously approved she said, “we have got here because we have worked together. We have shown that this parliament can be a force for progressive change when we collaborate. Our prize is the opportunity to consign period poverty to history. In these dark times, we can bring light and hope to the world this evening."

This move to provide free and easy access to period products is a massive step forward in the fight against period poverty. Not being able to access hygiene products isn’t just a physical health issue. It can impact your mental health, standard of living and the way you see yourself. Research conducted by U by Kotex and Alliance for Period Supplies found that over the last year one in four people have struggled to buy period products due to a lack of income. The pandemic is only exacerbating a serious pre-existing issue.

Scotland has already created policies to combat period poverty. In 2017 it was announced that schools, colleges and universities must provide free menstrual hygiene products. The new bill enshrines this in law.

The impact of increasing free access to period products for those who need them will be monumental. Speaking about the bill CEO of Plan International UK, Rose Caldwell said, “this new law will help to ensure that no girl or woman in Scotland struggles to afford period products.”

However, Caldwell highlighted that shame plays a massive part in the pervasiveness of period poverty. “The rollout will be critical. Period poverty is driven by a ‘toxic trio’ of issues, which on top of the cost of period products, includes a lack of education and the stigma and shame surrounding menstruation,” said Caldwell, “we know, for example, that only a third (31%) of girls in Scotland feel comfortable asking teachers for period products in school. That’s why, alongside free products, we need education and training for girls, schools and parents to help tackle the stigma and embarrassment around periods as well as the cost.”

Scotland has become the first country to make period products free to all those who need them in a bid to end period poverty once and for all. The government already passed legislation that rules that educational institutions must provide menstrual hygiene products and the Scottish Government works closely with charities like FareShare who distribute period products to people in low-income families. However, with the new bill, Scotland has set an example in how period poverty can be tackled and ended.

SoxyP on November 26th, 2020 at 08:00 UTC »

I live in Wales and my school decided last year that they'll remove the little vending machine and put one of those £15 IKEA chest filled with all kinds of different tampons and pads. I think that was the day I realised that...man just like toilet paper, you should have pads available cuz let's be honest, some pad is better than no pad just like how bad toilet paper is better than no toilet paper. It made me so happy to see this gaggle of year 7s just helping a friend choose a pad from that chest once and I've been too greatful when my periods were particularly bad and it was my turn to pick one :')

Mijzero on November 26th, 2020 at 07:53 UTC »

And this is a very good thing. I imagine the financially stressed and homeless women see this as an amazing thing.

incoherentmumblings on November 26th, 2020 at 06:12 UTC »

Okay can everybody please calm down? They are not any more 'free' than toilet paper. ( As in: they're not.) Scottish women still have to buy their own supply ( and that's completely okay). What changed is that public buildings are required to have some laying in the bathrooms, just like they are required to put toilet paper there. And anyone who ever used a public bathroom knows that indeed you want your own supply at home, because the quality isn't exactly luxurious.

Thanks. Keep calm and stay safe, and have a nice day.