Scotland has become the first country in the world to make period products free for all.
Voting unanimously on Tuesday, the Scottish Parliament has passed a bill that will require menstrual products be given to people free of cost in an aim to end period poverty—a term for the financial barriers that can keep those who need pads and tampons from accessing them.
Following the passing of the bill, the Scottish government will be responsible for putting in place a nationwide scheme that allows anyone who needs period products to be able to obtain them for free, while compensating providers.
Per ABC News, it is estimated that the scheme will cost around £24 million (AUD $44 million) to implement. Under this legislation, secondary schools, universities and colleges will be required to make period products available at no cost in bathrooms, just like toilet paper. The scheme will also allow ministers to assign other public institutions, like youth clubs and pharmacies, to offer the products free of charge.
The change was spearheaded in a three-year campaign led by Monica Lennon, a member of the Scottish Parliament and the spokeswoman for health care for the Scottish Labour Party.
“It wasn’t easy but together we got there. A big day for Scotland,” Lennon wrote in a tweet.
Speaking to the Daily Record, she said she hopes the bill “will inspire other countries to follow our lead and normalise the notion that period poverty just isn’t acceptable.”
“It really shouldn’t be a big deal. When you go to the toilet you expect toilet paper to be there and you should be able to expect period products as well,” she added.
In an interview with The Guardian, she said: “This will make a massive difference to the lives of women and girls and everyone who menstruates.”
Under the scheme, those seeking period products will have access to different types, and can have them delivered or collected “reasonably easily” and with “reasonable privacy”, ABC News reports.
While period poverty has been an issue for ongoing issue around the world, it is one that has been greatly exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In May 2020, Plan International released its Periods in a Pandemic report, identifying seven issues related to coronavirus and periods, including supply distributions limiting access, limited access to washing or changing facilities, price increases in sanitary products, lack of access to reliable information and support, access to clean water, disposal management and the stigma associated with menstruation.
“From to Kenya to Nepal, to Australia, Ireland and Cambodia, COVID-19 lockdowns are causing big problems for people who menstruate. Periods don’t stop during a pandemic, but managing them has become a whole lot harder,” Plan International Australia’s CEO Susanne Legena said.
In relation to Australia’s period poverty, the report found that 50% of those surveyed found it difficult to access period products amid the pandemic.
“Here in Australia, half those we surveyed said they had trouble finding period products, particularly when panic buying started,” Legena said.
“There were also widespread reports that prices have risen and remain higher than usual, with one in five of our survey participants reporting this was the case. We would strongly encourage retailers to ensure that menstrual hygiene products remain affordable during this time, particularly when people are struggling financially.”
Up until 2018, period products were still classed as a ‘luxury item’ in Australia, with the GST applied to them—colloquially referred to as the ‘tampon tax’—only axed two years ago, after 18 years of outcry.
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