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Scotland becomes first country to make sanitary products free for all

Scotland becomes first country to make sanitary products free for all

Scottish parliament approves legislation that makes all hygiene products available for free at designated public places.
28 Feb, 2020

The Scottish parliament approved plans on Tuesday to make sanitary products freely available to all women, the first nation in the world to do so.

The legislation would make tampons and sanitary pads available at designated public places such as community centres, youth clubs and pharmacies, at an estimated annual cost of 24.1 million pounds ($31.2 million).

The Period Products (Free Provision) Scotland Bill passed through its first stage with 112 votes in favour, none against and one abstention. It now moves to the second stage, where members of the devolved Scottish parliament can propose amendments.

During the debate, the bill’s proposer Monica Lennon said passing it would be a “milestone moment for normalising menstruation in Scotland and sending out that real signal to people in this country about how seriously parliament takes gender equality.”

Fellow lawmaker Alison Johnstone asked: “Why is it in 2020 that toilet paper is seen as a necessity but period products aren’t? Being financially penalised for a natural bodily function is not equitable or just.”

In 2018, Scotland became the first country in the world to provide free sanitary products in schools, colleges and universities.

Sanitary products in the United Kingdom are currently taxed at 5%. Former Prime Minister David Cameron’s government said it wanted to end that “tampon tax”, but that its hands were tied by European Union rules which set tax rates for certain products.

The government announced it would drop the tax in 2016, but this has not happened yet.

Earlier on Tuesday, Lennon joined a rally gathered outside the Scottish parliament, and held a sign which said “Access to menstrual products is a right. Period.”

Comments

aleem Feb 28, 2020 02:40pm
Same should happen in Pakistan
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Solomon The King Feb 28, 2020 02:44pm
Scotland is a country?
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Sunny Feb 28, 2020 02:53pm
Great!! But we need such initiatives in our country more than in the western world. Girls and women stop going for education and work because of lack of access to cheap sanitary pads.
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Steve lomas Feb 28, 2020 03:59pm
@Solomon The King great diaplay of ignorance! Well done.
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Talha Feb 28, 2020 04:01pm
While surgical masks are not ideal to protect one from Corona Virus, Pakistani masses continue to get manipulated by greedy businessmen who are charging 1000s of rupees for one mask which shouldn't cost 20 to 30 rupees. Neighborhood should boycott their neighborhood pharmacies and stores that are exploiting the fear of gullible Pakistanis.
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Zain U Khan Feb 28, 2020 04:22pm
@Solomon The King They are in United Kingdom but have their own parliament.
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Hamed Quraishi Feb 28, 2020 06:16pm
Respect "bonny Scott"!
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Jo Feb 28, 2020 11:56pm
@Solomon The King part of the United Kingdom of England, Wales and Northern Ireland
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MG Feb 29, 2020 09:14am
In India napkins are sold at Rs 1 each with encouragement from Government. This is really effective......
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ZAHID ALI Feb 29, 2020 10:46am
it is great move from the government of Scotland ."Being financially penalised for a natural bodily function is not equitable or just.” Other countries must follows and make proper legislation regarding this.
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Bangbang Feb 29, 2020 06:06pm
Vote bank appeasement, is food free for all?
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