Parties aim to beat ‘period poverty’
Schools could offer free sanitary products
Schools across South Lanarkshire could offer free sanitary products to pupils in a bid to tackle “period poverty”.
Chairperson of the Education Resources Committee, Councillor Katy Loudon, has announced that the local authority supports “in principle the provision of free sanitary products to school pupils”.
Councillor Loudon said: “Tackling period poverty is an issue that I have been campaigning on for a number of years.
“It is simply unacceptable that any woman or girl in Scotland should be unable to access sanitary protection due to poverty.
“We know that school children face challenges when accessing sanitary products, and whilst there are projects currently in place to help, we do not believe they go far enough.
“That is why I am delighted that we are considering how best to supply free, easily accessible sanitary products in schools across South Lanarkshire.
“Such a project, along with the work undertaken by the Scottish Government, will go some way to tackling the scourge of period poverty and give pupils the support and dignity they deserve.”
The move was welcomed by Clydesdale West councillor, and the South Lanarkshire Labour group’s press officer, Lynsey Hamilton.
She said: “Period poverty is an issue I have campaigned against, and it’s time sanitary products were freely available to young learners.
“Last week I had a meeting with council leader John Ross to propose this in our schools and he committed to take this idea to the SNP group meeting.
“I am delighted that the SNP group agreed to take it forward and I look forward to hearing the proposals of how it will be implemented.
“I’m confident the cross-party agreement between Labour and the SNP will deliver progress quickly for the benefit of our pupils.
“Periods are not widely discussed as a health and wellbeing issue and that needs to change. In this day and age, girls should not be missing class because they can’t afford tampons in over-priced dispensers or that no sanitary products are available.
“Monica Lennon MSP is consulting on a proposed Member’s Bill to legislate for a world-leading scheme to end period poverty and I was pleased to take part in the launch event in the Scottish Parliament.
“Monica has secured the backing of trades unions and other prominent organisations.
“I’m proud that here in South Lanarkshire, along with other councils, we are willing to lead by example.”