Scotland to become first country to provide free period products
Scotland has become the first country in the world to legally protect the right to access free period products. The Period Products Act comes into effect from Monday 22 August.
Councils and education-providers across the country will now be legally required to ensure free sanitary products are available to those that require them.
The law was initially proposed by Labour MSP Monica Lennon. In 2020, it was unanimously approved by the Scottish parliament.
In the same year, free period products were rolled out in all primary and secondary schools. Lennon has been a fierce campaigner to end period poverty since 2016. “This is another big milestone for period dignity campaigners and grassroots movements which shows the difference that progressive and bold political choices can make,” she told the BBC. “As the cost-of-living crisis takes hold, the Period Products Act is a beacon of hope which shows what can be achieved when politicians come together for the good of the people we serve.” Since 2017, an estimated £27,000,000 has been spent to provide access to products in public spaces.
