A law to fight against menstrual insecurity
Members of the local Parliament of Holyrood in Scotland voted on Tuesday, November 24, 2020 a bill to make free access to periodic protection in the country in order to fight against menstrual insecurity. Despite initial opposition linked to the estimated cost of this new measure (estimated at around 9.7 million pounds per year or around 11 million euros), the bill initiated by Scottish Labor MP Monica Lennon, has just won unanimity in Parliament. Indeed, the 121 members of parliament all voted in favor of the bill which had already been approved by a large majority when it was mentioned last February.
Scotland thus becomes the first country in the world to provide periodic protection free of charge. Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish Prime Minister, spoke of her pride on Twitter, referring to “this revolutionary law, which makes Scotland the first country in the world to provide free periodic protection to all who need it”.
Anyone who needs tampons or sanitary napkins will be able to get them free of charge
The Scottish government will now have to allow anyone in need of tampons or sanitary napkins to obtain them free of charge throughout Scotland. To do this, a range of periodic protections must be made available free of charge in the toilets of schools, high schools and universities. Scottish authorities may also request public bodies to provide these types of products free of charge.
According to Scottish Labor MP Monica Lennon: “ We all agree that no one should have to worry about their next reusable pads or pads. “. As for Rose Caldwell, managing director of the charitable organization Plan International UK, she welcomed the pioneering decision of Scotland by recalling that menstrual insecurity causes a “ toxic threesome ” corresponding to “ cost of hygienic protections “, to ” lack of education “And” period stigma and shame “.
