Bill to tackle period poverty introduced to Holyrood
A member's bill to tackle the problem of "period poverty" has beem introduced to the Scottish Parliament.
Promoted by Labour MSP Monica Lennon, the bill aims to ensure that everyone who menstruates is able to access period products, at no cost, as and when they are required. It would place a duty on Scottish ministers to ensure that period products are made available free of charge on a universal basis, require education providers to make period products available free of charge in on-site toilets, and enable ministers to place a duty on other specified public service bodies to provide free period products.
Period poverty as an issue has received growing attention in recent years, as poverty levels have risen since the recession. It is recognised that period poverty can have a detrimental effect on the health and wellbeing of women, girls and trans people. Using period products for longer periods of time than is recommended, or using unsuitable alternatives, can lead to infections and health issues. Additionally, users may feel they have no choice but to miss out on educational activities, work or recreation due to not having appropriate products.
A Scottish Government pilot scheme has seen period products distributed through food banks under the FareShare network to people who ask for them, and last August the Government confirmed that it would provide free products in schools, colleges and universities. Further funding was provided in January this year to local authorities to expand the provision of free porducts in communities.
Ms Lennon has welcomed the schemes already in place, but does not believe that they fulfil the aim of guaranteeing that period products are available free to anyone who requires them.
The consultation preceding the bill found overwhelming support for the proposals, with backing from 96% of the 1,753 respondents.