Scotland has passed a bill that has made menstrual sanitary products, such as tampons and pads, accessible, free of charge.
Local authorities are required by the Period Products Bill, passed unanimously, to ensure that period products are generally obtainable free of charge. Schools and colleges must ensure that students have free access to period products, and public bathrooms are also required to provide the products without cost.
The measure costs approximately $32 million, the Scottish government has estimated. Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland's prime minister, applauded the passage of the bill. "Proud to vote for this groundbreaking legislation, making Scotland the first country in the world to provide free period products for all who need them. An important policy for women and girls," she posted on Twitter.
Monica Lennon, who initiated and championed the law, praised all who upheld integrity and endorsed the bill. "A proud day for Scotland and a signal to the world that free universal access to period products can be achieved," she tweeted.
The debate over the bill spurred what was considered a remarkable public debate on topics that were once recognized as ‘inappropriate’. Endometriosis and heavy menstrual bleeding, why bins for menstrual products are needed in bathrooms, and the large base of support for the bill were debated within the Scottish parliamentary chambers.
Scotland started offering free time sanitary products in schools, colleges and universities two years ago. This initiative followed a study in Scotland of 2,000 students who found that 1 in 4 respondents struggled to access sanitary products leading to the drafting, debating, and passing of the bill.
The country’s official account tweeted, "That's right, Scotland has become the first country in the world to make period products free for all...Because in Scotland, we believe it's fundamental to dignity, equality and human rights."
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