Scotland has become the first nation in the world to ensure period products are obtainable free of charge.
Introduced by Member of Scottish Parliament Monica Lennon on 23 April, the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill has now passed.
In other words, IT’S OFFICIAL.
The Bill, as passed, means that local authorities, education providers and specified public service bodies must ensure that period products are able to be accessed free of charge by all persons who need to use them.
Period Poverty occurs when people who need period products are unable to afford them.
The Scottish Parliament says Monica Lennon, ‘sees these products as a basic necessity, and believes that providing access to them is important for people’s dignity.’
The universal scheme will operate on an ‘opt-in’ basis.
This means that anyone in Scotland who requests the products to access them, completely free, ‘regardless of age, gender or income.’
The Policy Memorandum states, ‘By operating on such a basis the Bill will also ensure that those with no fixed address or homeless people will also have access to the period products they need.
‘There will be no means-testing or referral system in place.
‘Giving access to all will mean that women, girls and trans people are not financially penalised for menstruating.
‘It will help to tackle period poverty whilst minimising any perceived stigma which may be associated with being given free products.’
As Monica Lennon says on her twitter account, ‘what a journey’ and, more aptly,
‘…it’s ‘about BLOODY time.’
Find out more here.