Parliament of Scotland on Tuesday has approved unanimously the so-called “Period Product (Free Provision) Bill”, The first law provision in the world providing free access to sanitary pads. With this provision, local authorities will be obliged to provide free sanitary pads or products for the menstrual cycle to “anyone who needs them”.
The bill was launched by the parliamentarian Monica Lennon to counter the so-called “period poverty“: In fact, it was calculated that women can spend up to 8 pounds (about 9 euros) per month on sanitary pads and products for the cycle, and those on a low income often cannot afford them. The measure also aims to combat the stigma of menstruation: according to a survey carried out among young Scottish girls, buying cycle products embarrasses 71 percent of girls between 14 and 21 years of age and half of them have skipped school for reasons related to menstruation.
The Scottish government already granted free sanitary pads in schools and universities. It has now allocated a total of 9.2 million pounds (about 10.3 million euros) to be made available also in sports clubs, by local authorities and through charities. Each of Scotland’s 32 administrative divisions will be able to choose how to implement the law, but will need to make sanitary pads or alternatives available in a “reasonably easy” and “reasonable discretion” manner to all women who request them.
– Read also: What menstruation really is
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