There are very few places in the world where periods are talked about openly. In most places, the subject is still talked about secretly. In such a situation, Scotland has done a great job. Scotland has become the first country in the world to free all period-related products. The Scottish Parliament has passed a bill regarding period products. The move is a brilliant initiative after a movement that has been going on for four years. The name of the bill has been passed unanimously to the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act. Now it is necessary for the legal authorities to provide these goods to the needy people.
It will be based on the work already being done by North Ayrshire Council. Tampons and sanitary napkins were being provided free of cost in public buildings at this place since 2018. The bill was introduced by Scotish MP Monica Lennon. Significantly, she has been running a campaign to make it free since 2016. After this campaign, a consensus was reached across the country. Monica Lennon told The Guardian that it was a proud day for Scotland.
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
Lennon said, it will bring a big change in the lives of women who have periods. There has been a change at the local administration and community level and everyone will get respect in the period. Now there is a big change in talking about periods. Until a few years ago, there was no talk about periods in Holyrood Chamber and now it is mainstream.
According to the charities, after the corona virus epidemic there has been a lot of increase in period poverty. The one-year annual cost of the scheme will come to 8.7 million euros. Lennon said that the whole world is currently eyeing Scotland. In the midst of a global epidemic, this is a very important message that the rights of women and girls can be made a political issue.