Scottish Parliament votes for universal free period products

The Scottish Parliament has voted to pass a motion that will make period products available to anyone who needs them, the first country to introduce such a measure.

A grassroots campaign had been building momentum to tackle 'period poverty’ over the last year, with Scottish Labour MSP Monica Lennon tabling a Bill to bring in legal right of free access to tampons and sanitary pads. The new law, ‘The Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill’ was passed by 121 to zero votes in Holyrood.

Ms Lennon said outside Parliament, “Legislation is a world-leading opportunity to secure period dignity for all women, girls and people who menstruate.

“The campaign has been backed by a wide coalition, including trades unions, women’s organisations and charities.

“Thousands of supporters have played a part, including people who shared their experiences of period poverty, and I am grateful to them all.”

The vote has received attention around the world, hailed as groundbreaking. We hope it is the first of many.