LONDON - Scotland on Tuesday made sanitary products free to all women, becoming the first nation in the world to take such a step against "period poverty."
The
measure makes tampons and sanitary pads available at designated public
places such as community centers, youth clubs and pharmacies, at an
estimated annual cost to taxpayers of $32 million U.S.
The
Period Products (Free Provision) Scotland Bill passed unanimously, and
First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon called it "an important
policy for women and girls."
"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," Sturgeon posted on Twitter.
During
the debate, the bill's proposer, Scottish Labour MP Monica Lennon,
said: "No one should have to worry about where their next tampon, pad or
reusable is coming from.
"Scotland
will not be the last country to consign period poverty to history, but
we have the chance to be the first," she said.
In 2018, Scotland became the first country to provide free sanitary products in schools, colleges and universities.
Some
10% of girls in Britain have been unable to afford sanitary products,
according to a survey by the children's charity Plan International in
2017, with campaigners warning many skip classes as a consequence.
Sanitary
products in the United Kingdom are taxed at 5%, a levy that officials
have blamed on European Union (EU) rules that set tax rates on certain
products.
Now
that Britain has left the EU, British Finance Minister Rishi Sunak has
said he would abolish the "tampon tax" in January 2021.
VOA