Free sanitary products scheme ‘should not be judged by costs’

MSPS have been told they “can’t put a cost on women’s dignity” during an evidence session on providing free sanitary products for women.

Eilidh Dickson, the policy and parliamentary manager of feminist charity Engender, said the proposed scheme should not be measured by how much it costs.

The local government and communities committee took evidence on a Member’s Bill from Labour MSP Monica Lennon yesterday, during which a number of other organisations were represented, including Plan International UK, trade unions, the Scottish Youth Parliament and campaign group On The Ball.

The Bill would ensure products were free to all people in Scotland who need them but it does not legislate for a specific scheme – although a voucher-style mechanism is suggested in the wording of the Bill.

During the session, SNP MSP Annabelle Ewing asked if the scheme should be narrowed to target those suffering most from so-called period poverty due to the cost of the project.

In reply, Ms Dickson said there were costs incurred by the inability of women to access free sanitary products, including through lower productivity at work and costs to the health service.

She said: “I think that you have to factor in girls losing days of education, women being unproductive at work because they’re not feeling well or not feeling particularly hygienic that day because they’ve had to makeshift a product.

“You also have to factor in the cost of life-threatening illnesses if a product is used for a long time or used incorrectly.”