Politicians Vote for Free Period Products (Also to Save Girls from Embarrassment)

The Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) unanimously approved the Period Products Bill, thus tackling period poverty and period stigma, and ensuring that free period items such as tampons and pads are available to anyone who needs them.

“Periods don’t stop for pandemics and the work to improve access to essential tampons, pads and reusables has never been more important,” says MSP Monica Lennon who introduced the bill and who has been campaigning to end period poverty since 2016. 

For some women on a low income, buying suitable period products can be a real struggle. Products can also be scarce at school, college, or university. Researchers found that 71% of 14-21-year-olds felt embarrassed to buy period products. According to the law, free provisions will have to be offered, and each of the country’s 32 councils will have 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”.