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Scotland step closer to becoming first country in world to make sanitary products free for all women

Written by Aaron Dennis, February 27, 2020

Last month we welcomed a new scheme that allows schools and colleges in England to order free period products for students as part of a government scheme to tackle period poverty.

Today it has been announced that Scotland is on the path to become the first country in the world to offer all women period products for free. A proposed law – the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill – passed it’s first vote on Monday.

Scottish Labour MSP Monica Lennon, who lodged the Bill – believed to be the first of its kind in the world – described it as “pioneering” and said “Menstruation is normal. Free universal access to tampons, pads and reusable options should be normal, too.”

We fully support this bill to provide free to sanitary products to all girls and women in Scotland, and in particular recognise the positive impact this will have for girls and women living with a bleeding disorder.

Access to free products will have a huge financial benefit for women with a bleeding disorder who often spend a significant percentage of their income on sanitary products and will help to remove some of the fear and anxiety felt by women in our community who can’t afford to buy the quantity of products they need.

We know that living with a bleeding disorder can be difficult to manage – not only physically but financially and emotionally. It can impact education, mental health and employment.

Our Talking Red campaign promotes a better understanding of what it means to live with such a condition, so that women and girls feel less isolated and better supported.

To find out more about our support for women with bleeding disorders, please see here.