The Scottish MSPs voted without opposition in favor of a periods products bill this Tuesday, becoming the first country in the world to establish a law that is aimed at tackling period poverty according to CNN and other news outlets.

Women living in poverty stricken homes tend to have zero access to menstrual supplies and this can be humiliating for them when it’s time to go through that time of the month. This can affect how females  attend school  or work while their are in their periods.

In the past few years non-profit organizations including freedom4girls, have been trying to make these sanitary products more accessible for females who need them. 

According to Business Insider South Africa, Monica Lennon, the lawmaker who introduced the bill last year, said, “The campaign has been backed by a wide coalition, including trades unions, women’s organisations and charities,”

According to Business Insider the law is likely to cost around £8.7 million which equals R157 million by the next year, 2022, depending on how many women are going to use the products .

The passing of the bill follows an early effort in Scotland that made sanitary products available in schools, yet this extends it to other public structures also.

There are factors that limit access to the products, such as the stigma associated with it or living in an abuse home and a list of a whole other issues. 

According to Business Insider, the non-profit Plan International UK states that in the UK, three in 10 girls between ages 14 and 21 had difficulties trying to obtain the products during the first lockdown.

Proud to vote for this groundbreaking legislation, making Scotland the first country in the world to provide free period products for all who need them. An important policy for women and girls. Well done to @MonicaLennon7 @ClydesdAileen and all who worked to make it happen https://t.co/4lckZ4ZYIY

— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) November 24, 2020