Scotland just passed a new law that will make period products free to anyone who needs them. The European country voted on a bill on Tuesday that requires all public buildings to offer tampons, pads and such at no charge.
“This law will ensure no one has to go without essential period products,” explains Scottish lawmaker Monica Lennon, the bill’s primary sponsor. She introduced the bill to tackle “period poverty” and help those who struggle to afford menstrual products.
The legislation makes Scotland the first country in the world to offer free and accessible period products. They had previously made them free in schools, colleges and universities. In the U.S., there have been calls to end the so-called “tampon tax” or provide free products in school restrooms, but there’s no law providing them for free yet.
“Scotland will not be the last country to make period poverty history,” Lennon says. “Legislation is a world-leading opportunity to secure period dignity for all women, girls and people who menstruate.”
Source: New York Post
