Scotland becomes first country in the world to provide free period products to those in need

By Charlie Sawyer

Published Aug 15, 2022 at 12:10 PM

Reading time: 1 minute

34804

Scotland has officially become a trailblazer in the fight for free period products. The Period Products Act, passed on Monday 15 August 2022, will make it a legal requirement for any council or education provider within Scotland to distribute free sanitary products.

In the official government transcript, it was found that there were 121 votes for the bill, and zero against—deeming it a resounding success.

This incredibly important bill was first introduced by Labour health spokesperson, Monica Lennon, who has been campaigning to tackle period poverty within Scotland as early as 2016. Upon victory, she told Sky News: “This is another big milestone for period dignity campaigners and grassroots movements which shows the difference that progressive and bold political choices can make.”

According to ITV News, since 2017, approximately £27 million has been spent in Scotland to directly help provide access to sanitary products in public settings. The Period Products Act will further this aid and help to supply necessary products amid a serious cost-of-living crisis that is affecting all of the United Kingdom.

Period poverty has been a major political issue within the past decade. While this new law is a definite win for all those who struggle with affording period products, it would be inaccurate to say that the stigmas surrounding menstruation and gender health are a thing of the past in our society today. While period products themselves are essential, period education is equally crucial.

During the pandemic, everyday toiletries quickly became luxuries. In Wales, a number of schools took to providing period parcels which included a number of different products including reusable and sustainable period products, chocolates and face masks. These schemes were incredibly helpful for a number of families and, with the passing of this new Scottish bill, there is hope for even greater resources in the future.

This legislation is an invaluable step in legally requiring both national governments and local authorities to step up and provide essential care and services for a naturally occuring bodily function that affects a vast amount of people in our society.

As expressed by Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison to Sky News, providing access to free and safe period products is “fundamental to equality and dignity, and removes the financial barriers to accessing them.” With Scotland becoming the first national government to take this leap, we hope to see other countries follow suit.

Keep On Reading

By Eliza Frost

What is Banksying? Inside the latest toxic dating trend even worse than ghosting

By Eliza Frost

Jennifer Aniston to star in Apple TV+ adaptation of Jennette McCurdy’s memoir I’m Glad My Mom Died

By Eliza Frost

The Life of a Showgirl or The Life of a Tradwife? Unpicking Taylor Swift’s new album

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

MrBeast hunts for volunteers to test the viral question: who would win between 100 men and one gorilla?

By Eliza Frost

Bereavement leave to be extended to miscarriages before 24 weeks

By Eliza Frost

Taylor Swift is engaged to the boy on the football team, Travis Kelce 

By Abby Amoakuh

John Lithgow fumbles JK Rowling question as Harry Potter TV show cast struggles with fan backlash

By Eliza Frost

We finally know why Conrad and Belly broke up in The Summer I Turned Pretty season 2

By Eliza Frost

Did Katy Perry just confirm relationship with ex-Canadian PM Justin Trudeau?

By Abby Amoakuh

I sat down with two professional matchmakers to solve Gen Z’s dating fatigue

By Abby Amoakuh

Campaigners call for gamers who carry out virtual rape in the metaverse to be charged as real-life sex offenders

By Charlie Sawyer

Transformers director Michael Bay officially confirmed to direct movie about viral Skibidi Toilet meme

By Eliza Frost

Sabrina Carpenter says you need to get out more if you think Man’s Best Friend artwork is controversial 

By Charlie Sawyer

What is Mar-a-Lago face? Unpacking the beauty trend prompted by Donald Trump’s second term

By Eliza Frost

Everything you need to know about Trump’s state visit, including that Epstein projection

By Eliza Frost

Why isn’t Sylvanian Drama posting on TikTok? Here’s the legal tea

By Eliza Frost

Couples who meet online are less happy in love, new research finds

By Charlie Sawyer

Gavin Casalegno cancelled? The Summer I Turned Pretty fans turn on him amid cast drama

By Alma Fabiani

The disturbing TikTok trend sexualising fake Down syndrome faces using AI filters

By Alma Fabiani

Amazon Music is giving away 4 months free. Here’s how to claim it