SCOTLAND BECOMES WORLD’S FIRST COUNTRY TO MAKE SANITARY PRODUCTS FREE
With the passage of a landmark legislation, The Scottish government became the world’s first country to provide sanitary products such as tampons and pads for free, to “anyone who needs them.”, on Tuesday.
“The goal of these measures is to end “period poverty””, Nicola Sturgeon, the first minister of Scotland, Tweeted. Under the bill, government will “create a nationwide program to make the products accessible for people who need them; all schools, colleges and universities will be required to stock them in bathrooms, and government officials can order other public organizations to do so.”
Sturgeon further wrote that she was “proud to vote for this ground breaking legislation”. Referring it as an “important policy for women and girls,” she tweeted further.
Proud to vote for this groundbreaking legislation, making Scotland the first country in the world to provide free period products for all who need them. An important policy for women and girls. Well done to @MonicaLennon7 @ClydesdAileen and all who worked to make it happen https://t.co/4lckZ4ZYIY
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) November 24, 2020
According to Labour member Monica Lennon, who introduced the bill, official measures passed in Tuesday’s vote will give people free access to necessary period products. She added “periods don’t stop for pandemics and the work to improve access to essential tampons, pads and reusable has never been more important”.
Lennon also revealed that she would work with trade unions to “improve period dignity in all workplaces”.