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SCOTLAND COULD BECOME the first country to make period products freely available if MSPs vote for new legislation later today.
Holyrood will vote on the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill, which intends to introduce a legal right of free access to items such as tampons and sanitary pads in public buildings.
Scottish Labour MSP Monica Lennon has campaigned for the “world-leading” legislation to introduce free universal access to sanitary products.
Her member’s Bill has reached the final stage of becoming law with Scottish Government support, despite initial opposition and ministers arguing the cost could greatly exceed the estimated £9.7 million a year.
Speaking ahead of the vote, Lennon said: “We are in the final miles of a long journey and I am heartened by the support for the Period Products Bill.
“I am optimistic that we will complete that groundbreaking journey today.
“Scotland will not be the last country to make period poverty history – but it now has a chance to be the first.
“This law will ensure no-one has to go without essential period products.”
She added: “Thanks to a bold grassroots campaign and cross-party support, Scotland has already taken great strides to improve access to period products.
“Legislation is a world-leading opportunity to secure period dignity for all women, girls and people who menstruate.
“The campaign has been backed by a wide coalition, including trades unions, women’s organisations and charities.
“Thousands of supporters have played a part, including people who shared their experiences of period poverty, and I am grateful to them all.”
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Best of luck to them.
At least they are marching and hitting the streets in protest. For all the moaning we do thank god we dont suffer these problems in ireland
Imagine waving your kids off to school in the morning in America wondering if they’re going to be shot that day. Utter madness
@john Appleseed: utter madness to worry about… 2015, 20 school and university fatal shootings, 10 dead of teen age. 2015 1,132 US kids under 14 killed by drunk drivers, similar number of teens killed from text and driving. So do we care about our kids lives, or do we care if they’re going to be shot? Because if we care about their lives school shootings is by far the least of our worries…
Kids love protesting.
@Adam Reid: These kids will grow into adults who might be better able to affect the changes they’re after. They’ll all be voters too. I wish them every success.
Adam Reid only wants protection up to the time of birth.Gas.
Well done to the young people.
Left to fend for themselves by their parents.
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