Scotland becomes first country to provide free menstrual products, Netizens laud

Scottish lawmakers have unanimously passed legislation that will make period products freely available to anyone who needs them, which according to campaigners makes it the first country to do so. Lawmakers in the Scottish Parliament unanimously approved a bill late Tuesday that will require local authorities to provide free access to items such as tampons and sanitary pads.

Monica Lennon, a lawmaker from the opposition Labour Party, had campaigned against “period poverty” — when someone who needs sanitary products can’t afford them — since 2016. She described the legislation as “practical and progressive,” especially during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Periods don’t stop for pandemics and the work to improve access to essential tampons, pads and reusables has never been more important,” she said. "On the issue of period dignity, I am beyond proud that Scotland is leading the way and we have moved at a fast pace in a short space of time,” she added.

"Historic decision by Scotland to make sanitary products free," wrote one user. "How amazing, Scotland the first country in the world to offer free sanitary products. It will make a difference to so many! Well done!," said the other.

The Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill has been passed unanimously by @ScotParl.

This means that Scotland will be the first country in the world to ensure there is access to free period products for anyone who needs them. pic.twitter.com/vr9NSI8A7u

— Scottish Government (@scotgov) November 25, 2020

Scotland won’t be the last country to consign period poverty to history - but we are the first. Well done ⁦@MonicaLennon7⁩ #perioddignity #worldfirst #periodproducts pic.twitter.com/4Er2vun6HJ

— Scottish Labour (@scottishlabour) November 24, 2020

REACTIONS 

This is fantastic stuff from the Scottish Parliament.

They have unanimously passed a Bill that gives free sanitary products to all women who need them in the country.

Well done, Scotland & especially to @MonicaLennon7 - who introduced it. #Scotland #PeriodProductsBill https://t.co/iCGHelppTj

— TOKA (@TOKATODAY) November 25, 2020

Amazing @MonicaLennon7!
Free period products in public spaces!
Reusable pads & menstrual cups have been available at universities in Scotland 🤯
Plastic-free, full of dignity.
& thanks for using PERIOD not SANITARY or HYGIENE.
Let’s go Canada! 🇨🇦 https://t.co/e7OPuFUIhc https://t.co/K6xl7YRwLS

— undu. (@undu_wearables) November 25, 2020

Tonight, we have made history.

Scotland will be the first country in the world to make access to free period products a legal right. pic.twitter.com/WGOQeiip0l

— Scottish Labour (@scottishlabour) November 24, 2020

Scotland have passed a law for free sanitary products, amazing news 🎉🎉 #scotland #freeperiodproducts pic.twitter.com/mXa3SmGD1E

— 🌞Niamh🌞 (@Niamh_Angland15) November 25, 2020

Well done Scotland! More nations (especially ones with so much stigma around women's periods) should follow! So young girls can go to school, and women can go to work without the added financial worry of accessing sanitary products. https://t.co/7f62vjkPUY

— Neku Edun (@NekuAE) November 25, 2020

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(With AP inputs)