After a long struggle of women around the world unable to afford menstrual products, Scotland has taken the first progressive step towards period poverty. Many women and girls around the world suffer from ‘period poverty’ and are forced to resort to other options that may not necessarily be hygienic and would lead to further health consequences.
There was an anonymous voting system in the Scottish Parliament in favor of the Period Product Bill on Tuesday, months after lawmakers had signaled their support.
Monica Lennon, the lawmaker that introduced the bill last year, said it “will make a massive difference to the lives of women and girls and everyone who menstruates.”
After the votes, she noted that the decision was “a signal to the world that free universal access to period products can be achieved,” according to CNN.
This means that period products will now be easily available to access in public buildings which includes schools, universities and public restrooms across Scotland. According to the recent rules, it will be up to local authorities and education providers to ensure the products are available free of charge.
Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s First Minister, called it an “important policy for women and girls.”
“Proud to vote for this groundbreaking legislation, making Scotland
the first country in the world to provide free period products for all
who need them,” she wrote on Twitter.
It surely is an important policy for women and girls with one less thing to worry and stress about, they can focus more on their education and have the comfort to tackle other issues that women and girls deal with. We hope other countries, including our own, take something away from this initiative, choosing to open the door for conversation.