Scotland at an edge to become the first country to end “period poverty”. It’s expected the country will make women’s sanitary products available for free. MPs will vote on new legal rights today which include having free tampons
In 2018, Scotland gave students free access to period products.One in 10 girls across the UK has been unable to afford period products.
Scottish Labour MSP Monica Lennon has campaigned to get her private member’s bill to the brink of being turned into law.
Research suggests one in 10 girls across the UK has been unable to afford period products; and twice as many have used a less suitable product due to cost.
Campaigner Kerry Wright grew up in a disadvantaged family in Aberdeen, and said not having period products left her feeling so ashamed she missed school and fell behind.
“It was very shaming for me, and I felt guilty a lot of the time as well – this was something I was causing and I had to hide and keep to myself.”
Two years ago, Scotland made period products free for students and now it is considering making them free for all.
MSPs will vote on the Sanitary Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill, which would introduce a legal right of free access to period products at an estimated annual cost of £9.7m.
A historic vote could end period poverty in Scotland by giving everyone the right to free products including sanitary pads and tampons.
