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Scotland becomes first-ever nation to provide free period products — and hopefully more will follow

Scotland becomes first-ever nation to provide free period products — and hopefully more will follow

A four-year campaign fundamentally shifted the public discourse in the country around menstruation.
Updated 25 Nov, 2020

Scotland has become the first country in the world to provide free and universal access to period products, The Guardian reported — in a move we hope will lead other nations to take notice and take similar action.

Women’s menstrual cycle has always been surrounded by a zone of silence. And while it’s undergone by women worldwide, the lack of hygiene during this time is also a major issue. The news coming from Scotland is encouraging because this step will automatically address the hygiene issue as well.

The Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act, which passed unanimously through its final stage on Tuesday evening, will place a legal duty on local authorities to make period products available for all those who need them.

“This will make a massive difference to the lives of women and girls and everyone who menstruates. There has already been great progress at a community level and through local authorities in giving everyone the chance of period dignity," she was quoted as saying.

The development comes after a four-year campaign in Scotland that has fundamentally shifted the public discourse around menstruation.

The campaign — bolstered by nationwide grassroots support — was spearheaded by Scottish Labour’s health spokeswoman, Monica Lennon, who told The Guardian this was “a proud day for Scotland”.

According to the publication, period poverty — the struggle to pay for basic sanitary products on a monthly basis — has surged during the coronavirus pandemic.

One in 10 girls in the United Kingdom have been unable to afford period products, according to a 2017 survey from Plan International UK. The survey also found that nearly half of all girls aged 14 to 21 are embarrassed by their periods, while about half had missed an entire day of school because of them.

It is especially important to break the silence on this topic, so that millions of young girls every year don’t see their period as a disability, but a natural, normal part of their lives.

Women are the bringers of new life into the world, and periods are a part of that process. We applaud the move and hope more countries will follow suit.

Comments

bhaRAT© Nov 25, 2020 04:49pm
Other nations should do that too.
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LgbtqX Nov 25, 2020 04:50pm
A game changer indeed.
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Yasir Nov 25, 2020 05:37pm
I buy my sister period products every now and then, it's OK to that we must move away from shaming girls for period there is nothing wrong with helping your family member and talking about menstrual cycle problems and help the by taking to a doctor. We are all born from a female body after all stop these taboos.
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RAja Raman Nov 25, 2020 05:56pm
Way to go... Scotland.
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M. Emad Nov 25, 2020 07:06pm
Near 80% Pakistani women don't manage periods hygienically, and many misconceptions in Pakistan society regarding menstruation because of poor health-related education.
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Chrís Dăn Nov 25, 2020 10:27pm
Great.
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Illawarrior Nov 26, 2020 05:52am
How are they addressing distribution?
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Billi Force Nov 26, 2020 09:23am
@Yasir If you really want to help then stop treating menstrual cycles as a 'problem'
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MG Nov 26, 2020 09:23am
Next maybe India. There are numerous initiatives to educate women on menstrual hygine. Evey tehsil now has a small sanitary pad manufacturing unit that sells pads for Rs1 each.
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Samina Nov 26, 2020 09:43am
Love, Love, Love the news. Every year thousands of women fall in the pit of life threatening diseases just because of the use of unhygienic cloth during their menstrual cycle. Other countries should learn and move forward instead of making it a taboo to even talk about. Save your mothers, sisters and loved ones. Peace
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Mahmood Nov 26, 2020 01:07pm
No ifs or buts, period!
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Yasir Nov 27, 2020 04:07am
@Billi Force irregularities in menstrual cycle is a problem needs attention just like erectile dysfunction.
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Dr. Doctor PhD? Nov 27, 2020 12:29pm
@Mahmood both unfunny and puerile. Well done!
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