Scotland becomes first country to make sanitary products free

Scotland has become the first country in the world to made sanitary products free to all women.

The country recently passed a bill that has made period products such as tampons and pads free to all who need them. The bill ensures that period products are generally obtainable free of charge.

Through this bill, period products will be available free of cost at schools and colleges for students. the service will also be designated at public places.

The Scottish government has estimated the measure will cost 24 million pounds a year,  about $32 million. Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, cheered the bill’s passage.

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“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,” she wrote on Twitter.

The Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill has been passed unanimously by MSPs this evening.

Find out more about what the Bill sets out to change: https://t.co/pdkiesJxGG pic.twitter.com/Pfz2TqJIP7

— Scottish Parliament (@ScotParl) November 24, 2020

Two years ago in 2018, Scotland become the first country that began providing free period products in schools, colleges, and universities. The program followed a survey of 2,000 students in the country that found 1 in 4 girls struggled to access sanitary products.