What great news!
Scotland has officially become the first country to make all menstrual products completely free for the general population. This is great news for anyone who needs these products, and hopefully Scotland’s decision will inspire others to follow suit in the fight against menstrual poverty.
The country had already passed a bill in 2020 to make such products free, but it wasn’t until two years later that the Period Products Act became official. At the time, the bill passed unanimously, showing the country’s willingness to recognize the monetary inequality inherent in menstruating people being forced to purchase these types of products, resulting in high costs over the long term.
Menstrual poverty is a real concept that causes suffering for many low-income people. Menstrual products are generally expensive, and many people simply cannot afford them. This puts them in awkward, even uncomfortable situations when they are menstruating. Some people are even faced with difficult choices, such as buying a box of tampons instead of food… This is a reality that needs to be addressed, and Scotland has just proven that it is possible to do so in order to achieve a more just and equitable society.
In Quebec and Canada, taxes have been abolished on menstrual products for several years now, but we can dream of the day when this kind of item will simply be free!