This has to be a big celebration for women in Scotland!!!!
Starting Monday, councils and education providers in Scotland are legally required to make period products available — free of charge — to anyone who needs them.
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had hailed the move as ‘an important policy for women and girls
Scotland will become the first country in the world to protect the right to access free period products with a new law which is set to go into effect on Monday.
The Scottish parliament introduced the change by unanimously passing the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act in November 2020. The legislation made it a legal right to have free access to sanitary products in public buildings.
At the time, Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon praised the “groundbreaking legislation” and said it was important 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. An important policy for women and girls. Well done to @MonicaLennon7 @ClydesdAileen and all who worked to make it happen https://t.co/4lckZ4ZYIY
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) November 24, 2020
On Sunday, Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison noted that people are currently forced to make
“difficult choices due to the cost of living crisis.”
“Providing access to free period products is fundamental to equality and dignity, and removes the financial barriers to accessing them,”
What does the new law entail?
Under the legislation, local officials and education providers are legally required to make period products available — free of charge — to anyone who needs them.
“I’m grateful to all the young women and girls who have been crucial in developing the best ways to access products to meet their needs,”-Shona Robison
Scotland is the first country but will not be the last, hopefully, other countries will jump on the initiative.
(Source: DW)
