Scotland Becomes First Country In The World To Make Period Products Free For All Citizens
The Period Products Act officially came into force on 15 August.
By Wayne Garreth — 17 Aug 2022, 11:01 AM
In a history-making move, Scotland has become the first country in the world to make period products free for all their citizens
The Period Products bill was unanimously passed in November 2020, and as of Monday, 15 August this year, it was officially passed as law by Scottish legislators.
A landmark decision, the enactment of such a decision has made Earth-shattering progress for a global movement that has come to be known as 'period poverty'.
According to the law, period products will now be available to access in public buildings across Scotland, including schools and universities
Local authorities and education providers will be delegated responsibility to ensure that all these products will be free of charge.
The passing of this law seems to follow a progression in Scottish legal precedent, as the government announced back in 2018 that students in schools, colleges, and universities across the nation would be able to access sanitary products for free. It was expanded further in 2019, when the products were made available in libraries and recreational centres too.
The overall movement for the bill was championed by parliamentarian Monica Lennon, who took to Twitter to celebrate the institution of the act
"Proud of what we have achieved in Scotland," said Lennon after quoting a report by Bloomberg of the news. "We are the first but we won't be the last."
Echoing similar sentiments, Social Justice Secretary of Scotland Shona Robison gave her take in a statement released by the Scottish government.
"Providing access to free period products is fundamental to equality and dignity, and removes the financial barriers to accessing them. This is more important than ever at a time when people are making difficult choices due to the cost of living crisis and we never want anyone to be in a position where they cannot access period products."
Elaborating on their efforts to end period poverty, Lennon stated that it would be reasonable to expect 20% of the menstruating population to make use of the enactment, as inequity statistics demonstrated that nearly 20% of women in Scotland live in poverty.
Member of Parliament, Monica Lennon (left) and Social Justice Secretary of Scotland, Shona Robison (right).
Image via Daily Record