MSP Monica Lennon on watershed moment for women

TODAY, MSPs have the chance to vote together and agree on the principles of legislation that will make period products accessible, free of charge, to anyone who needs them. In doing so, we will be the first country in the world to legislate in this way. This is a real watershed moment in the global fight against period poverty. Women and girls are often left behind in the political process. This is a chance to put them first and do something that is truly groundbreaking on gender equality.

This legislation will ensure free universal access to period products to anyone who needs them, and put a duty on schools, colleges and universities to make free period products available in toilets.

Menstruation is normal and free universal access to tampons, pads and reusable options should be normal too. Period dignity for all isn’t radical or extreme, it’s simply the right thing to do.

MSPs, staff and visitors to Holyrood already benefit from access to free period products – we now have the chance to extend this to the communities we represent.

Daily Record readers will know the newspaper has been a leading voice in the fight for period dignity for all and already provides free period products for staff and visitors in its offices.

From football grounds to shopping centres, we are already seeing a shift in attitudes thanks to the campaigning of activists across Scotland.

We have strong foundations to build on.

Legislation will guarantee this good work continues and ensure period dignity for all.

More than 50 leading organisations support it and now MSPs will be asked to back this groundbreaking legislation today.

If they do, we’ll see our Parliament at its forward-thinking best.