Schools’ free sanitary items
Free sanitary products will be distributed within all secondary schools in Wishaw, Shotts and Motherwell in a bid to end ‘period poverty’ for pupils.
The decision to pilot the project was agreed at a North Lanarkshire Council committee meeting on Thursday, September 21, following unanimous agreement from councillors.
The council will also consider rolling out the scheme universally to other establishments including leisure centres, libraries and community centres.
The council’s equalities champion, Councillor Heather McVey, said: “Period poverty is an issue that is often a private struggle for many people and if the provision of free sanitary products within schools can help to relieve the situation for many young people in North Lanarkshire, then we are making a real and valuable impact to support families living in poverty.
“Th e re ha s b e e n widespread discussion about the impact that poverty can have for young girls and women in terms of difficulties experienced when menstruating.
“While the council welcomes the Scottish Government developing its policy for next year, we felt that this was such a pressing matter we wanted to make a difference to many of our young people immediately.”
Free dispensing machines will be installed within the toilet facilities of the 23 secondary schools across North Lanarkshire, stocked with a range of sanitary products.
The council- funded pilot scheme is the result of ongoing research being carried out by a working group set up to explore ways to support families affected by povert y , looking at issues including school uniform, health & wellbeing, homework and out of schools learning and school trips.
The council will explore further opportunities to extend the project to other facilities.
We wanted to make a difference to many young people . . .