Scotland Becomes The First Country To Legalise Free Menstrual Products. When Is This Happening In India?
Do you know one of the many things I found peculiar about being a woman in India? Other than the obvious sexism and crime, of course. The fact that for the longest time, most women’s washrooms I used had no provisions for menstruation which considering it is a natural, biological process for menstruating people, is absurd. I still remember how many times my friends and I had to walk out to the pharmacy to get a pad if any of us needed it until the college decided to install pad vending machines in the washrooms. While accessibility to menstrual products is hard in India, Scotland has made a move to make this easier for menstruating people by making period products free.
To combat “period poverty,” Scotland has become the first nation in the world to secure the right to free menstrual products through legislation. Following the passage of The Period Products Act 2021, local governments and educational institutions in Scotland are now required by law to offer free period products to anyone in need. The new law, according to the Scottish Government, “will cement this progress” which it claimed it made after investing more than £27 million for access to period products in various public settings. Monica Lennon of the Labour Party in the Scottish Parliament stated she was happy to have been a driving force behind the new law.
Proud to vote for this groundbreaking legislation, making Scotland the first country in the world to provide free period products for all who need them. An important policy for women and girls. Well done to @MonicaLennon7 @ClydesdAileen and all who worked to make it happen https://t.co/4lckZ4ZYIY
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) November 24, 2020
Also Read: Scotland Become The First Country To Provide Its Women With Menstrual Products For Free. Let’s Hope More Countries Follow Suit
According to the law, local leaders and educational institutions must make period items freely available to everyone who needs them. The government has upgraded the menstrual health materials available to schools, provided funds for an informative website for employers, and developed a successful anti-stigma campaign in addition to providing free supplies.
This is truly a historic day for our country.
Thank you to the Scottish parliament and lawmakers – but more importantly, thank you to every single one of you who has campaigned.
Our fight is not yet over. #Scotland #HeyGirls #PeriodPoverty https://t.co/GBJ7B4VF7M
— Hey Girls (@HeyGirlsUK) August 15, 2022
Also Read: Menstrual Hygiene Day: 6 Menstrual Products That Are Safe For You And The Environment
Those looking for supplies can use the PickupMyPeriod mobile app, which was introduced by social entrepreneur “Hey Girls” in collaboration with the Scottish government, to discover the closest location to collect the necessities. Justice Secretary Robison stated that she is grateful to all the young women and girls who have been vital in developing the best means to get period products to fulfil their needs.
Proud of what we have achieved in Scotland. We are the first but won’t be the last. 🏴🩸🙌#PeriodDignity #FreePeriodProducts #MenstrualJustice follow @Period_Poverty for updates. https://t.co/8bFTML3MkK
— Monica Lennon MSP (@MonicaLennon7) August 15, 2022
Scotland became the first nation to offer free sanitary goods at universities, institutions, and schools in 2018. According to a 2017 Plan International UK poll, about one in ten women in the UK cannot afford period products.
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