Scotland blazes trail with law on free period products
Scotland has made history as its parliament passed unanimously a bill to tackle “period poverty”.
The period products bill voted into law on Tuesday means Scottish educational institutions and local authorities must provide free tampons and sanitary pads in public toilets, the BBC reported.
“Proud to vote for this groundbreaking legislation,” Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted, calling it “an important policy for women and girls”.
Scottish Labour legislator Monica Lennon, who has campaigned for the legislation since 2017, said: “This is a landmark day for Scotland and for period dignity for all.”
The BBC said the provision of the bill is expected to cost the Scottish government about $ 11.6 million a year.
Scotland has served as a benchmark in alleviating period poverty, which is defined as lack of knowledge of menstruation and an inability to access necessary sanitary materials.
The Brussels Times reported that several organizations in Belgium are pleading for the same measure in the country.
“I think we should use this momentum ( Scottish measure) to continue the debate with us, and see how we can follow it up,” Thijs Smyers of Caritas said. “In the end, ( menstruating) is not something you choose.”
Belgium’s Children’s Rights Commissioner, Caroline Vrijens, also called for sanitary pads and tampons to be made free of charge, as not being able to afford them has a big impact, the Brussels Times said.
Stress, isolation
Vrijens said period poverty causes a lot of stress and creates isolation as girls without pads or tampons often skip school, do not meet up with friends, and quit hobbies because they do not want to run the risk of bleeding.
The United Kingdom has its own period poverty task force, with the primary aim of tackling stigma and education around periods, the BBC said.
Free period products were rolled out in all primary and secondary schools in England in January.
Period poverty is a global issue. It affects populations in the developed and developing world, and women living in poverty are especially vulnerable.
On May 28, which was Menstrual Hygiene Day, Helen Clark, former prime minister of New Zealand, and Elhadj As Sy, chair of the Board of the Kofi Annan Foundation, called for dignity, rights and empowerment when addressing women’s issues.
Worldwide, nearly 2.3 billion people live without basic sanitation services. In developing countries, only 27 percent of people have adequate hand- washing facilities at home, according to the UN Children’s Fund.