Scotland is planning to become the pioneer in providing free female sanitary products to all women for free.
MP Monica Lennon has put forward a proposal named The Period Products (Free Provision) Scotland Bill and the devolved parliament has already given approval.
Lennon, who wants to change the general perception of periods, explained: “These are not luxury items. They are indeed essential and no one in Scotland should have to go without period products.
“We are changing the culture and it’s really exciting that other countries right around the world are watching very closely to see what we do.”
A report from the ABC has claimed that providing this facility all over Scotland will cost the state $28.5 million.
As of now, there is a five per cent tax on these items and the big cost makes it difficult for poor women to buy them.
A study conducted by Plan International revealed that 12 per cent of the Scottish women and girls have to use unhealthy substitutes for proper sanitary pads.
The study also found that one in every seven can’t afford them and hence resort to borrowing them from friends.
Scotland has done something like this in the past. In 2017, the state announced that they’ll be providing sanitary products to all students free of cost.
Another thing revealed by the study was that 20 per cent of the subjects compromised on the compatibility and credibility of the products for an affordable cost.
But this year, the country has taken one giant leap.
There is confusion about how the pads will be dispensed to the ones they are intended for. One suggestion is for women to be provided cards that they can swipe or get scanned when they buy the product.
The model is the same as an earlier one that dispensed free condoms.
Aileen Campbell, the secretary for Scotland’s communities, said that it is crucial to have the support of all the different parties on the same point but there are yet some things to be done before the law gets implemented.
She also made it clear that the annual cost calculated for the project is an understatement and to make the law actually effective, they’ll need more budget.
She explained: “We will continue our world-leading action promoting wider period dignity through a certification scheme to encourage organizations to provide free products.
The bill will now face the committee stage, where it could be subject to amendments.”
Replaced!