Scotland becomes first country to offer free menstrual products and end period poverty

Scotland is about to make history. A bill was passed by the Scottish Parliament this past Tuesday that will end period poverty. If that’s a new term for you, here’s some information. According to UNICEF, 2.3 billion people worldwide do not have basic sanitation services where they live. 

Period poverty is the lack of access to sanitary products, menstrual hygiene education, a place to wash their hands and more. This affects women worldwide but those living in poverty are even more vulnerable to not have proper menstrual hygiene. Many girls and women cannot afford menstrual products. 

Now Scotland will be the first country to offer free pads and tampons, which would end period poverty. It isn’t official yet until all the details are ironed out, but the bill has already been passed. Lawmakers estimate this new bill will cost the government $31 million per year. 

“Period poverty is an issue that affects women and girls across the U.K., with more than a quarter having missed work or school because they couldn’t afford or didn’t have access to menstrual products,” said Mandu Reid, the leader of the Women’s Equality Party.