The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

Politicians in Scotland want to abolish ‘period poverty’

Menstrual products could become free for women across the country

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April 20, 2018 at 1:50 p.m. EDT

A movement is underway in Scotland to make period products free for its citizens.

Monica Lennon, a member of the Labour Party, is among a number of politicians championing a bill that would give women access to free feminine products at food banks, schools, colleges and universities, according to USA Today.

It has support from both women and men after Lennon informed her non-menstruating colleagues the barriers women face when they need sanitary supplies. “Women in general don’t talk about their periods and how they manage them. I’m glad it’s out in the open,” she said.

More states move to eliminate ‘tampon tax’

“This bill would introduce a legal duty on the Scottish Government to develop a universal system in Scotland which will provide free sanitary products for anyone who needs them,” Lennon told The Scotsman. She will soon propose the bill to Scottish Parliament.

Lennon further explained on the Labour Party site, “Poverty, health conditions and a lack of access to sanitary products all make managing menstruation difficult. In many homes, schools and workplaces embarrassment and stigma around periods is a barrier to hygiene and health care.”

In a recent study released easier this year, Scottish women shared a few of the hardships they face when trying to take care of themselves. The Guardian reported that one in five women had trouble affording products. About the same percent said they stretch out their supplies and cannot change as frequently as needed. One in 10 women said that stretching out their supply of feminine products caused them to contract infections.

Another study reported by BBC found over 70 percent of women have had to ask someone else for menstrual products. Around the same percentage have been forced to resort to using toilet paper as sanitary napkins. Some women reported having to choose between affording menstrual products or food. The proposed bill for free period products has 96 percent approval from Scots polled.

Federal prisoners now get free pads and tampons. Our battle isn’t over yet.

As politician Gillian Martin told The Guardian, “Women should not have to make the choice between putting dinner on the table and providing sanitary products for themselves and their daughters.”