Scotland becomes first nation to make period products available to everyone
- Local governments of Scotland are now required by law of Scotland to offer free sanitary products (Period Products) like tampons and pads to anyone who needs them.
- As the Period Products Act takes effect in Scotland, goods will be supplied through councils and educational institutions.
- The Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill was unanimously approved by MSPs in November 2020. Labour MSP Monica Lennon, who has been working to eradicate period poverty since 2016, introduced the bill.
- Period poverty occurs when people with low means are unable to get or buy appropriate period products in Scotland.
- Average periods last roughly five days, and tampons and pads can cost up to £8 per month in Scotland, which some women find difficult to pay.
- According to Georgie Nicholson of the social initiative Hey Girls, period supplies ought to be available in public restrooms on a par with toilet paper.
- Period poverty may be explained simply, according to Ms. Nicolson, by going to the store and having to decide between buying a box of tampons or a bag of pasta. It’s that simple.
- About one in four respondents at Scotland schools, colleges, and universities who participated in a Young Scot survey of more than 2,000 people in 2018 reported having trouble getting access to period products.


