Scotland created history on November 24, by becoming the world’s first country to provide sanitary products for free. In a bid to emerge victorious against period poverty, or the inability to afford sanitary products to manage menstruation, this move is definitely historic. Earlier, Scotland provided free sanitary products in schools, colleges and universities. But with this move, anyone in Scotland can get free tampons and pads from anywhere. In India, Zomato started providing period leaves for female employees for up to 10 days a year to build an environment of gender equality. Read on to know more.
Scotland Makes Sanitary Products Free Of Cost & Creates History
Scotland passed a new bill named Period Products (Free Provision), Scotland Bill, on Tuesday, November 24. This bill ensures that the country will make sanitary pads and tampons available at free of cost at designated public spaces. So you can get sanitary products free of cost from youth clubs, pharmacies and community centres in Scotland. As per Reuters, this will cost around 24 million pounds (₹2,36,51,54,024) to taxpayers. Scotland made sanitary products free to combat period poverty in the country.
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This bill was passed unanimously by the parliament. First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon hailed this as “an important policy for women and girls.” Nicola Sturgeon also tweeted “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.” Infact, the bill’s proposer, Scottish Labour MP Monica Lennon states “No one should have to worry about where their next tampon, pad or reusable is coming from. Scotland will not be the last country to consign period poverty to history, but we have the chance to be the first.”
Scotland won’t be the last country to consign period poverty to history – but we are the first. Well done @MonicaLennon7 #perioddignity #worldfirst #periodproducts pic.twitter.com/4Er2vun6HJ
— Scottish Labour (@ScottishLabour) November 24, 2020
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Scotland Attempts To End Period Poverty In The Country
In 2018 itself, Scotland became the world’s first country to make sanitary products free of cost at schools, colleges and universities. Period poverty has been a problem all across the world. Where thousands of women and girls aren’t able to afford sanitary products. In Scotland, a period lasting 5 days can cost around 8 pounds (₹790.38) per month. With Scotland becoming the world’s first country to make sanitary products free of cost, we hope many more countries follow suit, to make this world a better place. Meanwhile, watch this video to find out 10 foods that will improve your mood.
