Helping hand for victims of abuse
A move to improve the availability of free sanitary products to women who have experienced domestic abuse throughout South Lanarkshire has been welcomed.
Women’s Aid South Lanarkshire and East Renfrewshire (WASLER) were spurred into action by Central Scotland MSP Monica Lennon.
Ms Lennon, Scottish Labour’s inequalities spokesperson, has been campaigning to end period poverty over the last year, and has called on organisations to increase the availability of sanitary products to those in need.
The local Women’s Aid group has now moved to provide a“help yourself” approach to save women the potential embarrassment of having to ask for help.
Heather Russell, WASLER CEO, said:“we have been enthused by Monica Lennon’s address of this issue which is reflective of wider challenges faced by women.
“We have always distributed donations including sanitary wears to those we support, however, following meeting and discussions with Monica we moved to a more respectful‘help yourself’approach.
“This allows any person who requires sanitary wears to take what is required without having to ask.”
Ms Lennon welcomed the group’s move, saying: “Access to sanitary products during menstruation is a necessity, not a luxury. I’m pleased that conversations I’ve been having with local organisations are resulting in them taking action to increase the availability of sanitary products.
“Women’s Aid South Lanarkshire have set a brilliant example by ensuring that sanitary products are freely available in their offices and refuge accommodations by adopting a‘help your self’ approach.
“I’ll soon be launching a public consultation nationally on my proposed Members Bill to introduce a legal right to access these products for free, and I’m keen many local constituents take part and share their views.”