Scotland has become the first country to offer period products free for all the citizens.

As per the details, MSPs unanimously approved the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill on Tuesday.

As per the new bill, authorities will be given a legal duty to ensure that free items such as tampons and sanitary pads are available to “anyone who needs them”.

 Labour MSP Monica Lennon had introduced the bill. She said t was a “practical and progressive” piece of legislation made all the more vital because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Periods don’t stop for pandemics and the work to improve access to essential tampons, pads and reusables have never been more important,” she added.

 How will the bill create an impact?

 Authorities will be liable to ensure the products are being offered for free. Scotland’s 32 councils will decide what practical arrangements are to be implemented, but they must give “anyone who needs them” access to different types of period products “reasonably easily” and with “reasonable dignity”.

 The scheme will need to be operational within two years of the legislation becoming the law. 

 The bill says ministers can in the future place a duty on other “specified public service bodies” to provide free period products.

 This is already happening – Scotland was the first country in the world to make period products available free in schools, colleges, and universities – but the bill, if passed, will protect it.

 What is Period poverty?

Period poverty happens when those working on low incomes find it difficult to afford or access appropriate period products.

According to the latest data, these products can cost up to £8 a month for tampons and pads. Some women work hard to afford them.

According to a survey of more than 2,000 people by Young Scot, around one in four respondents at school, college, or university in Scotland had struggled to access period products.

According to the research, about 10% of girls in the UK have been unable to afford period products; 15% have struggled to afford them, and 19% have changed to a less suitable product due to cost.