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Scotland Makes Period Products Free


Period products are now freely available to anyone in Scotland who needs them, nearly two years after the country’s Parliament passed a landmark law.

The initiative makes Scotland first country in the world to provide free sanitary products, part of a global effort to end “period poverty” – or lack of access to tampons or tampons because of the high cost .

Monica Lennon, legislator submitted a draft proposal for the Period Products Act in 2020, tweeted that Scotland may be “the first but won’t be the last” to offer free products.

“We are witnessing a massive cultural shift where period discrimination is no longer tolerated,” Ms. Lennon said in an email to The New York Times. “There is a greater emphasis on menstrual health and a new focus on addressing medical issues.”

Northern Ireland are considering a similar measure and New Zealand and Seoul provide free menstrual products in schools. “That gives me hope that we won’t be the last country to put access to free period products on the regulation books,” Ms. Lennon said.

Shona Robison, Scotland’s social justice secretary, echoed Ms Lennon.

“Providing access to free products is fundamental to equality and dignity, while removing financial barriers to accessing them,” she said. in a statement. As the cost of living is rising and more people are making tough choices, she adds, “We never want anyone to be in a position where they can’t access period products. “.

Law of 2020 in Scotland came into being under an earlier law allowing the free use of tampons and tampons in schools, colleges, universities and other public buildings. Now every council in Scotland is required to consult with local communities to determine the best entry point for menstrual products. In her email, Ms Lennon said that period products will be available at libraries, swimming pools, public gyms, community buildings, town halls, pharmacies and doctors’ offices .

Everyone can Find the nearest location with free period products through a mobile app called PickupMyPeriod. The app allows users to filter what products are available and how to find them locally. Home delivery is also available.

As the bill was drafted, Ms Lennon and the bill’s writers said they kept in mind the challenges to menstruation for those experiencing poverty, homelessness, abusive relationships. and health status.

The coronavirus pandemic is only complicating those issues a 2020 study by the non-profit organization Plan International UK. The group found that nearly a third of girls and women aged 14 to 21 experienced difficulty in being unable to pay or access hygiene products during the first national shutdown. .

In the United States, a 2021 study of George Mason University found that 14% of college-educated women experienced a period of poverty by 2020. Research shows that Latina and Black women are disproportionately affected.

17 states and Washington, DC, have passed legislation requiring free access to period productions for students, according to Alliance for Period Supplies, an advocacy group. A broader push to repeal the state sales tax applied to menstrual products such as pads and cups, commonly known as the tampon tax, proceeded accordingly and started. Proponents of tax repeal argue that essentials such as tampons and pads should be tax-free, while others argue that states need revenue. At least 32 states have put in place measures to eliminate taxes and 13 have been successful so far.





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