Scotland is making strides to make it more inclusive to all women despite finances. The country is planning on making all sanitary products free to women of all ages.
Already, high school and college students are able to get free menstrual products in Scotland. Furthermore, a bill was passed on Tuesday making pads and tampons free to everyone.
There were 112 votes in favor of free period products and the government estimates the yearly cost to be about $31 million to fund the initiative. This is the first of three stages that the Period Products Bill has to go through.
Scotland’s aim to provide free pads and tampons to women is also aiding to crush the stigma around periods being embarrassing.
Monica Lennon, a Scottish Parliament member pushing for the bill to be passed tells the Daily Record, “This is an amazing victory for everyone who has campaigned for free universal access to period products and who has convince the Scottish Government to back this ground-breaking Bill.”
Lennon also says, “Scotland has already taken important steps towards improving access to period products and tackling stigma but legislation will guarantee rights, ensure that current initiates continue in future on a universal basis, and will help us achieve period dignity for all.”
The bill is now going into the second stage where members of Parliament can make amendments.
If passed, Scotland will be the 1st country in the world to make period products free to women.