Free menstrual products are free for all women in Scotland.

Free menstrual products are free for all women in Scotland.
By law, all public institutions, including schools, city halls, and universities, must provide free menstrual products.

Scotland has made significant progress in public health by mandating the availability of menstrual products in all public facilities.

On Monday, the nation became the first in the world to enshrine the right to access free feminine hygiene products in law.

As mandated by the Period Products Act, local governments and educational institutions must give free period products to students in need.

About £27 million has been spent on this cause since 2017 to make this available in public places.

During the 2020 session of the Scottish Parliament, Labour MSP Monica Lennon successfully pushed for the bill, which ultimately received unanimous support.

She remarked, "Local authorities and partner organizations have worked hard to make the legal right to obtain free period products a reality," Ms. Lennon echoed this sentiment.

Another critical moment for the campaign is to rebuild respect for the past, which shows that wise and brave political actions may make a difference.

In light of the current cost-of-living crisis, the Period Products Act is a brilliant example of what can be done when lawmakers work together for the welfare of the people they serve.

Pasta or sanitary pads 

Hey Girls, a British social organization working to end period poverty, has advocated for the widespread distribution of period goods in public toilets alongside toilet paper.

According to research undertaken by the organization before the outbreak, one in four Scottish women has suffered a period of poverty, as stated by its director, Georgie Nicholson, on BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland.

The choice between purchasing a package of spaghetti and a box of tampons at the supermarket might be difficult for someone living in period poverty. "It's really quite easy," she remarked.

Many mothers have reported using unconventional methods of period protection, such as newspapers tucked inside socks or bread, to save money for their families.

Ms. Nicholson praised Scotland for becoming the first country to provide free menstrual products as a "quite wonderful" accomplishment.

Scottish government social justice minister Shona Robison believes providing free menstruation products is "important to equality and dignity."

Later, she said, "We are happy to be the first national government in the world to take such action. This is especially important now, as the rising cost of living forces many people to make difficult choices. We want that women will never be without access to period products.