A study carried out by Plan International UK, has shown that approximately 15% of young women find it hard to afford sanitary products. Other findings of the study reveal that about half of the girls and young women between the ages of 15 - 21 hold negative attitudes toward their period accompanied by feelings of shame and embarrassment.
Overall, the findings of the study point to the real-life issues of stigma and poverty in modern society, and urges for solutions nationwide. Scotland has promptly responded positively to the issues raised by proposing a bill to make Feminine Hygiene Products Free!
Even though they constitute essential goods to all women worldwide, sanitary products cost an average of $10 per month, making them inaccessible to economically disadvantaged groups of the population.
On the 25th of February 2020, Scotland passed the first stage of the proposed bill that would make feminine hygiene products available for free.
In 2019, Scotland became the first country in the world to offer free period products to students at all levels of education 💙 But that was just the start.. Today, a bill has passed in the Scottish Parliament to make period products free to everyone 💪 #ScotlandIsNow pic.twitter.com/Xxptd3HpuX
— Scotland Is Now 🏴 (@Scotland) February 25, 2020
In 2018, Scotland also became the first country in the world to introduce free sanitary products in schools, colleges and universities. In order to put the plan in motion, Scotland had to dedicate £5.2 million in funding. Several independent businesses have endorsed the government's decision since, by providing period products to their customers for free.
Monica Lennon, member of the Scottish Labour Party and law maker, proposed the Period Products (Free Provision) Bill, and it has already passed its first vote. By passing the law, Scotland will be the first country in the world to provide sanitary products for free to those in need.
In the video from the Scottish Parliament below, we can see the debate prior to the pass of the bill:
Scotland is not the only country that has been fighting for the right of women's access to sanitary products. Other countries include, Columbia, Jamaica, India, Nigeria, Uganda, Lebanon, Kenya, Trinidad, Malaysia, Tobago, Australia, and the United States.
The pass of Scotland's Period Products (Free Provision) Bill has gained a wide range of overwhelmingly positive endorsements:
Periods are not a luxury! 🩸 We’re thrilled to see that MSPs in Scotland have backed the #freeperiodproducts bill 👏 https://t.co/DEO0nVVoo9
— The Body Shop UK (@TheBodyShopUK) February 25, 2020
Scotland is set to become the first country in the world to make sanitary products free of charge to all.
— Channel 5 News (@5_News) February 25, 2020
In 2019, Scotland became the first to offer free period products to students - but the new bill wants to extend it to everyone in a hope to eradicate period poverty. pic.twitter.com/HmfKdOskic
Holyrood backs plan to end period poverty in world-first https://t.co/0gdubn9ZLm
— Tom Gordon (@HTScotPol) February 25, 2020
Massive congratulations to @MonicaLennon7 on getting MSP's to back the #FreePeriodProducts Bill. Monica has led a tremendous campaign that has gained support from across Scotland and the Bill will embed the progress we have already made in legislation
— Joe Cullinane (@jcullinane86) February 25, 2020
It was a good day for equality today, with @MonicaLennon7’s #freeperiodproducts Bill moving to Stage 2 and the first meeting of the @ScotGovEdu Gender Equality Taskforce in Education & Learning this afternoon - both of which @cisweb is proud to support pic.twitter.com/7pavUvFQkd
— Amy Woodhouse (@AmyWoodhoose) February 25, 2020
YES! Massive congratulations to @MonicaLennon7 and her entire time for this hugely deserved win. I’ve been behind this all the way since day one and it’s a hugely progressive step forward for Scotland and Scots who have periods. 🥳🏴 https://t.co/DKHB5IbC5C
— Dylan 🤙🏼 (@dylanhm) February 25, 2020
We're delighted to see the #FreePeriodProducts Bill has passed its first hurdle. We unreservedly support free provision of sanitary products and this must be matched by efforts to boost women’s incomes. https://t.co/FXnXLmfzr8
— Poverty Alliance (@PovertyAlliance) February 25, 2020
We joined @MonicaLennon7 and hundreds of others outside Parliament today in a rally ahead of the 'Period Products Free Provision (Scotland) Bill,' @Period_Poverty, debate in the chamber. Equal access to sanitary products is not a luxury! @EllaCFisher pic.twitter.com/2IAPnpP0Db
— Equality Network (@LGBTIScotland) February 25, 2020
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