Scotland becomes first country to make period products free

Scotland has become the first country, allowing free and universal access to menstrual products, including tampons and pads, in public facilities, a landmark victory for the global movement against period poverty.

The Scottish Parliament voted unanimously in favor of the Period Products bill on Tuesday, reports BBC.

The move came months after lawmakers had initially signaled their support.

The bill was introduced by Labour MSP Monica Lennon. 

She has been campaigning to end period poverty since 2016.

It means period products will be available now to access in public buildings including schools and universities across Scotland.

According to the new rules, it will be up to local authorities and education providers to ensure the products are available free of charge.

What is period poverty?

Period poverty is when those on low incomes can't afford, or access, suitable period products.

With average periods lasting about five days, it can cost up to £8 a month for tampons and pads, and some women struggle to afford the cost.

How big a problem is it?

A survey of more than 2,000 people by Young Scot found that about one in four respondents at school, college or university in Scotland had struggled to access period products.

Meanwhile, about 10% of girls in the UK have been unable to afford period products; 15% have struggled to afford them; and 19% have changed to a less suitable product due to cost, according to research.

As well as period poverty, the bill tackles period stigma. Researchers say this is particularly an issue for young girls. It found that 71% of 14-21 year olds felt embarrassed buying period products.

The impact on education is another area the bill aims to tackle - with researchers finding almost half of girls surveyed have missed school because of their period.

What difference will the bill make?

The Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill puts a legal duty on local authorities to ensure anyone who needs period products can obtain them for free.

It will be for the country's 32 councils to decide what practical arrangements are put in place, but they must give "anyone who needs them" access to different types of period products "reasonably easily" and with "reasonable dignity".

A consultation document proposed modelling the scheme on the system health boards already operate for distributing free condoms.

In the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde area, for example, anyone who wants free condoms can ask for them in locations including GP surgeries, pharmacies and colleges and universities - or alternatively they can fill out a request on a card so they do not have to ask verbally.

However, concerns were raised about a similar scheme for period products, so that provision has been removed from the bill.

The scheme will need to be operational within two years of the legislation becoming law.

The bill says ministers can in the future place a duty on other "specified public service bodies" to provide free period products.

It also enshrines in law the free provision of period products in schools, colleges and universities.

This is already happening - Scotland was the first country in the world to make period products available free in schools, colleges and universities - but the bill, if passed, will protect it.

The Scottish government earlier decided to back the bill in principle despite previously opposing it because of "significant and very real concerns" about how it would work.

The government proposed significant amendments to the bill as it proceeded through parliament, meaning it is now backed by all of the parties at Holyrood.