On August 15th local time in Scotland, the world’s first law requiring the provision of free sanitary productsEnforced。
The law will require municipalities and educational institutions across Scotland to provide sanitary products such as pads and tampons free of charge.
Social Justice Minister Shona Robison released a message saying that free sanitary products are essential to equality and dignity.
‘More important than ever’ in economic crisis
The government says Scotland has invested more than £27m (roughly 4.36bn) in discussing free access to sanitary products in public facilities for those in need since 2017. On 24 November 2020, the Scottish Parliament unanimously passed a bill to provide free sanitary productsPassed。
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“Free sanitary products are essential to equality and dignity and remove financial barriers to access,” Robison said.
“The cost of living crisis is forcing us to make difficult choices,” she said of the current economic situation.
“Scotland is a world leader in these policies,” he said, adding that in addition to free donations, he has also funded websites where employers can learn about menstruation and promoted anti-stigma campaigns.
Robison added, “Thank you to all the young women and girls” who have played an important role in paving the way for free periods.
Scottish residents will now be able to find their nearest free sanitary products through a mobile app run by the government-backed company Hey Girls.
Free government distribution spreads internationally. Japan is?
“Menstrual poverty” refers to the state of not being able to afford the cost of purchasing sanitary products such as pads and tampons, or being in an environment where sanitary products cannot be used.
In order to improve these problems, efforts are spreading internationally for governments to distribute them free of charge and introduce reduced tax rates.
New Zealand will provide free sanitary products in schools from June 2021.In France, the government will distribute sanitary products free of charge to all university students in February 2021.announced。
In Japan, there is no national policy, but in June 2021, the “Basic Policy for Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform (Basic Policy)”, which indicates the direction of the country’s important issues and policies, The first measures against “menstrual poverty”specified。
The movement of free distribution by companies and local governments is already spreading,According to the Cabinet Office Gender Equality Bureauas of July 20, 2021, 581 local governments have implemented initiatives on “menstrual poverty”.