In a first, this country to provide free, universal access to period products

Scotland on Monday will become the first country in the world to provide free and universal access to sanitary products such as tampons and pads following the passage of the landmark bill, the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act, in 2020. The law solidifies the Scottish government’s efforts to make period products accessible in public, read an official statement by the government.

Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison was quoted as saying by AFP, "It is fundamental to equality and dignity to provide free access to period products. It will also remove the financial barriers to accessing them. We are proud to be the world's first country to take such an action."

Local authorities and educators will now be legally mandated to ensure that period products are available free of charge to anyone who needs them.

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In November 2020, the Scottish parliament unanimously voted for the Period Products Bill which binds schools, colleges, and universities to provide free sanitary products for students in their toilets. In its present form, the bill -- based on Period Products in Schools (Scotland) Regulations -- has gone further in placing a legal mandate on ministers to ensure access to such products by all.

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon welcomed the decision on social media and said, "Proud to vote for this groundbreaking legislation, making Scotland the first country in the world to provide free period products for all who need them. An important policy for women and girls."

With AFP inputs