Scotland to Eliminate Period Poverty

Scotland is said to be the first country to eliminate period poverty. In February 2020, the Scottish parliament passed a bill that will make menstrual products free for every girl and woman in Scotland. 

In 2018, the country passed legislation that ensured free menstrual products to students at schools, colleges and universities. The program, program costing 5.2 million pounds (about $6.4 million), has supplied 395,000 students with menstrual products since September of 2018. 

The more recent passing of legislation providing for women and girls across the board will cost the government a presumed $31 annually. The bill was passed by 112 votes in favor, with none against and one abstention, but this won’t disregard the few hurdles that Parliament has recognized the legislation will need to surmount before becoming law, with the $31 million annual expense being one of them. 

Scotland, being a particularly wealthy country, was due to make such moves toward menstrual equity. Women should not be forced to scavenge for necessary health products in any country, particularly in a country of undeniable prosperity. 

Menstrual products across Britain are taxed at 5 percent due to the European Union considering them “luxury” products, meaning Britain is unable to abolish the tax levy. Thus, across Britain, 10% of girls are unable to afford menstrual products, and 19% are forced to find free, alternative products. 

Scotland’s goal in providing free menstrual products nationwide is to not only to end period poverty, but to combat the stigma and prejudice menstruation holds. Periods are inevitable. The need for menstrual products is inevitable. With this new legislation, Scotland is fighting mercilessly to achieve menstrual equity nationwide.