Scotland's new, world-first legislation could spell the end of period poverty
Scotland has become the first country in the world to provide people with free access to period products in public buildings and spaces after a long but wholly worthwhile four-year campaign.
The Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act, which passed on the evening of Tuesday, November 24th 2020, places a legal obligation on local authorities to make period products available for all those who need them.
The campaign was largely led by Scottish Labour’s health spokeswoman, Monica Lennon MSP, who has hailed the passing of the act as ’a proud day for Scotland’.
‘This will make a massive difference to the lives of women and girls and everyone who menstruates,’ says Lennon. ‘There has already been great progress at a community level and through local authorities in giving everyone the chance of period dignity.
‘There has been a massive change in the way that periods are discussed in public life. A few years ago, there had never been an open discussion of menstruation in the Holyrood chamber, and now it is mainstream. MSPs have enjoyed being a part of that, and it has encompassed the menopause, endometriosis, as well as the types of products we use and their sustainability.’
The legislation goes hand-in-hand with the legal requirement for schools, colleges, and universities to provide the period products for free, which was announced by First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, in 2017—another world first.
Still, the need for widely available period product was evident, as period poverty remains an issue here in Scotland, with as many as one-in-five women having experienced it. The struggle to pay for essential period products has become increasingly difficult for many in the wake of the pandemic. Needless to say, this act is going to make all the difference to those people. ‘Scotland will not be the last country to make period poverty history – but it now has a chance to be the first,’ Lennon continues.
Indeed, Scotland has been leading the charge to end period poverty. Not only have independent businesses, including bars, restaurants, and cafes, taken it upon themselves to offer free period products, North Ayrshire council has already been providing free tampons and sanitary towels in its public buildings since 2018. Furthermore, Hey Girls, a menstrual product brand, which works on a buy-one-give-one retail model, was founded right here on home soil and has donated over 11 million products to those suffering from period poverty.