The question has long been begged as to why sanitary products for women aren’t available free of charge, or at least made cheap enough so that they’re accessible for all.
If you didn’t already know, period poverty is an issue that, though rarely discussed, is a big problem. A study undertaken in the UK found that 15% of girls have struggled to afford sanitary products when on their period, while 19% changed to a less suitable product because it was all they could afford.
Not only that, but there’s a certain stigma attached to periods, period. As per BBC, a study found that 74% of 14 to 21-year-old girl’s in the UK felt embarrassed even when buying products for their period.
Needless to say, this is something that needs to end. Periods are a natural occurrence, necessary to life, and the idea that in this day and age people should be ashamed to talk about them is ludicrous.
The good news is that the Scottish Parliament is about to pass a law that would make it the first country in the world to make sanitary products available for free.
The passing of the law – it’s initially been backed by Parliament – will be a landmark moment if it goes through, and one that can’t come soon enough.
The Period Products Scotland Bill was initially proposed by Scottish lawmaker Monica Lennon, who said: “These are not luxury items. They are indeed essential and no one in Scotland should have to go without period products.”
When the law is passed, sanitary products will be made available for free at pharmacies, youth centers and community centers.
Period poverty is a problem in the United States as well – there are only 15 states that do not currently impose taxation on sanitary products.
We can’t welcome Scotland’s move enough. No woman should ever have to feel she can’t afford sanitary products – they should be a basic human right.
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