Yahoo Finance Scotland passes legislation that allows free period products for all
After a four-year campaign, Scotland has passed legislation that will make it the first country in the world to provide free period products for all. The Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act passed unanimously through its final stage yesterday evening.
The act will make it the legal duty of local councils to make period products available for all who need them. This legislation could not have come at a better time, as the coronavirus pandemic has made period poverty significantly worse, according to a number of charities.
Scottish Labour’s health spokeswoman, Monica Lennon, was a key figure in the fight for the campaign and told The Guardian that this was "a proud day for Scotland".
"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.
"There has been a massive change in the way that periods are discussed in public life. A few years ago there had never been an open discussion of menstruation in the Holyrood chamber and now it is mainstream. MSPs have enjoyed being a part of that, and it has encompassed the menopause, endometriosis, as well as the types of products we use and their sustainability."
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