Scottish Students To Get Free Sanitary Products While At School And University

Women spend around £18,000 on sanitary products in their lifetime, which is why we're celebrating news that Scotland is going to make tampons and sanitary towels free for students and pupils across schools and universities.

The decision was made in light of discussions about period poverty, which happens when people need to prioritise rent and food, and women's period products fall by the wayside. A survey of 2000 young Scottish people found that around one in four young Scots had struggled to get their hands on sanitary supplies.

Talking to the BBC, Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said: "In a country as rich as Scotland, it's unacceptable that anyone should struggle to buy basic sanitary products. I welcome the support of local authorities, colleges and universities in implementing this initiative."

To counteract this, the Scottish government is investing £5.2m in the project to help all schools and universities across the country comply, making it the first country in the world to do so. This means students will be able focus on their studies rather than stains.

Research from girls charity Plan International found that 45 per cent of girls across Scotland have had to use alternatives to tampons and sanitary towels including toilet paper, socks and newspapers stuffed into their underwear.

Susannah Lane, head of public affairs at Universities Scotland, talking to CNBC, said not having access to period supplies creates stigma. "It is unacceptable that anyone should suffer the embarrassment and distress caused by period poverty so we welcome free sanitary provision being made available in universities across Scotland."

She added: "Periods are a part of life but they shouldn't be a point of inequality, compromise someone's quality of life or be a distraction from making the very most of time spent at university, so this is a positive step."

Scotland seems to be leading the way when it comes to helping women out. A Scottish council in North Ayrshire has vowed to provide sanitary products in all public bathrooms.

Speaking to the Guardian, Joe Cullinane, the Scottish Labour leader of the region's council said: "When you've got that kind of momentum in schools, you think that periods don't stop at the school gates, so what about their sister or mother?

"How can we normalise this even further, so that it's like providing toilet paper or handwash?"

So come on Westminster: let's see this rolled out across the rest of the UK too!