Starting tomorrow, Scotland will become the first country in the world to legally protect people’s rights to free menstrual products, with the groundbreaking law enacted.
According to the Term Products Law, tampons and sanitary pads should be made available to anyone in need by municipalities and educational institutions.
According to the Scottish government, “It has invested over £27m to fund access to a range of public institutions” and says “the new law will strengthen this progress”.
Presented by Labor Party spokesperson Monica Lennon and approved in November 2020, the bill aims to eradicate poverty and help families under financial pressure.
It was unanimously approved by the MSPs after gaining the support of the Scottish government and other opposition parties in Holyrood.
Periodic items, including tampons, sanitary pads and reusable products, should be made available to everyone in need by municipalities and educational institutions when the groundbreaking law comes into effect tomorrow.
It is hoped that the measures taken will eliminate the poverty of the period in the country and help families under financial pressure. Pictured: A supporter of the period products bill at a meeting outside Parliament in Edinburgh in February 2020, nine months before the bill was approved
When the bill passed, Ms Lennon said it was a “practical and progressive” piece of legislation, which is even more important given the coronavirus pandemic.
The Labor MSP, who has worked to combat menstrual poverty since being elected to Holyrood in 2016, said: “Time does not stand still for pandemics and is working to improve access to essential tampons, sanitary pads and reusable products. It has never been more important. . . . ‘
“I am extremely proud that Scotland was at the forefront when it comes to the reputation of the era and we have developed rapidly in such a short time.”
The bill passed with 121 votes to zero after winning the support of the Scottish government and other opposition parties in Holyrood.
Ahead of the bill, which will take effect tomorrow, Social Justice Minister Shona Robison said: “Giving access to entertainment products is critical to equality and dignity and removes ‘financial barriers to access’.
“This is more important than ever at a time when people are making difficult choices due to the cost of living and we don’t want anyone to be in a position without access to cycling products.
“Since 2018, we have taken groundbreaking steps by offering free semester products to students at all our schools, colleges and universities. We are proud to be the first national government in the world to take such action.
“The work we do in Scotland continues to lead the world and goes beyond offering free products. We’ve also funded an education website for employers, successfully campaigned against stigma, and improved menstrual health resources available to schools.
I am grateful to all the young women and girls who have been instrumental in developing the best ways to access products that meet their needs.”
Social startup Hey Girls has created PickupMyPeriod, a mobile app that helps people find the nearest pickup point for products.
“The Period Product Act shows Scotland taking the lead in understanding that menstrual products are not a luxury and should be made available to everyone for free,” said Celia Hodson, founder of Hey Girls.
He added that the app currently includes more than 1,000 pickup points for users.
Source: Daily Mail
