Scotland is set to be the first country in the world to make period products free to all women

Scotland to make sanitary products such as tampons and sanitary pads free for all women.

Scottish MPs have backed plans to make products such as tampons and sanitary pads free at designated public places such as community centres, youth clubs and pharmacies.
The plan passed its first vote in the devolved Scottish parliament.
The period products (Free Provision) Scotland Bill was proposed by Scottish MP Monica Lennon, who first submitted a draft proposal in 2017.
The annual cost is expected to be around 24.1 million pounds (28.6 million euros)
“These are not luxury items,” Ms Lennon said, adding that the bill was about “period dignity.”
“we are changing the culture and it’s really exciting that other countries around the world are watching what we do”
A consultation document proposed modelling the scheme on the card-based system for free condoms, where users register for a free card or voucher to exchange for the products.
In 2018 Scotland became the first country in the world to provide free period products in schools, colleges and universities.
Period products in the UK are currently taxed at 5%,  the so-called “tampon tax”
Former prime minister David Cameron’s government said it wanted to end the unpopular tax, but said its hands were tied by European Union rules which set tax rates for certain products.

There is no tax on period products in Ireland, Canada, Australia, Kenya, India, Columbia, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Jamaica, Nigeria, Uganda, Lebanon and Trinidad and Tobago, the Scottish Governments briefing on the bill said.
Ms Lennon joined a rally gathered outside the Scottish parliament building in Edinburgh, and held a sign which said “Access to menstrual products is right. Period”
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Samantha Day

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