Scotland Makes Period Products Free - Should More Countries Do The Same?

What’s the story?

• In a landmark piece of legislation approved by Scotland’s Parliament, period products are now free across the country. Scotland is the first country in the world to provide free menstrual products in an effort to end “period poverty” — the lack of accessible and affordable tampons and sanitary pads. 
• Lawmaker Monica Lennon submitted the draft proposal for the Period Products Act in 2020, noting that this legislation will hopefully encourage other countries to make period products free. The writers of the bill hope to make menstruation easier for those in poverty, in abusive relationships, experiencing homelessness, and with health conditions.
• In an email to The New York Times, Lennon said: 

“We are witnessing a massive culture change, where period stigma is no longer being tolerated. There’s more emphasis on menstrual well-being and a renewed focus on tackling medical misogyny.”

• The law requires every council in Scotland to consult with local communities to determine the best access point for menstrual products and to have available products at libraries, swimming pools, public gyms, community buildings, town halls, pharmacies, and medical offices. A previous Scotland law provided free tampons and sanitary pads in schools, colleges, and universities. 
• Those in Scotland can find the nearest free period products through a mobile app called PickupMyPeriod. Users can filter their search by products, location, and home delivery options.

The cost of periods worldwide

• Almost all countries have a tax on menstrual products, dubbed the tampon tax, which categorizes them as non-essentials. Some governments even classify them as luxuries like cigarettes and alcohol. 
• Period products cost the average menstruating individual thousands of dollars in their lifetime. A study by Pandia Health found that for tampon users, period products would cost $1,733 throughout their lifetime, and pad users $4,752. Globally, 13% of menstruating people struggle to obtain menstrual products because of this cost. 
• Period poverty affects millions of menstruating people worldwide — nearly 500 million or 25%. 
• Jennifer Weiss-Wolf, the author of "Periods Gone Public", argues that managing menstruation is “a critical aspect of the lives and civic participation of more than half the population,” and should be considered when making policy. Weiss-Wolf argues that levying taxes on pads and tampons is a version of the “pink tax,” wherein women pay a premium for various products. 

Period product legislation in the U.S.

• 17 states in the U.S. have passed laws that require free access to period products for students, and 32 states have introduced measures to eliminate the tampon tax. 13 states have been successful. 
• The states with tax breaks on menstrual products include Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.
• Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-NY) introduced a plan to improve access to menstrual products and reduce period poverty, known as the Menstrual Equity for All Act of 2021. The initiative seeks to help various populations of menstruating people who cannot afford or access menstrual products, an issue linked to economic justice, education, housing, healthcare, and more. The bill would provide free period products for students, incarcerated individuals, homeless shelters, those on Medicaid, and employees of large companies. The bill was introduced to the House of Representatives last June. 
• Here is a list, updated in 2021, of the various menstrual equity policies in the U.S, including Meng’s bill. 

Action you can take

• Contact your representative to support Meng's proposed legislation and push for a vote on the Menstrual Equity for All Act within the House. 
• Donate to Helping Women Period, a nonprofit organization committed to supplying menstrual products to low-income or houseless individuals. You can get involved by dropping off products, making deliveries, hosting drop-off locations, volunteering, and more. Learn more here. 
• Want to make period products free across the nation? Tell your representatives that it is time for a piece of legislation to provide all menstruating Americans with free period products.

Do you think your government should offer free menstrual products? 

-Jamie Epstein

(Photo credit: iStock/zoranm)