The free period product scheme was first introduced in 2020.
Local authorities across Scotland made period products free for anyone to pick up from public washrooms in council buildings, such as libraries and museums, or arranged for them to be delivered at home.
Since then, the Scottish Government worked to extend the scheme and in 2022 the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act came into force, requiring all councils, specified public service bodies and education providers to make period products available at no cost to anyone who needs them.
This legislation aims to tackle one of the most common but unspoken issues linked to poverty in Scotland: period poverty.
What is period poverty?
Period poverty is defined by the Royal College of Nursing as a ‘lack of access to sanitary products due to financial constraints’, but may also be widened to include the lack of education around menstruation, such as who can menstruate, menstrual hygiene and health factors associated with menstruation.
Providing free products in public buildings, educational facilities and workplaces is a good start to get the conversation going and recognising that menstruation does not need to be a taboo subject in the 21st century.
Who is affected by period poverty?
As period poverty may affect half the population, it is important to make free period products as widely available as possible in Scotland.
In 2022, global women’s charity ActionAid reported that 12% of women in Britain are affected by period poverty and that over a third of girls and young women in the UK struggled to afford period products during the COVID-19 pandemic. Women, girls and people who menstruate may be affected by period poverty at any stage in their lives, from school age to their college years and during their working lives.
What is the cost of period poverty?
It has been estimated that in the UK, a woman will spend an average of £5,000 on period products over her lifetime. In a low-income household, this is an incredible amount of money, even if period products are considered a ‘basic necessity’. During the cost of living crisis, with rising inflation and bills, there is a concern this basic necessity will not be prioritised.
There are also physical and psychological factors associated with period poverty, such as the risk of toxic shock, poor hygiene, being unable to leave home thereby missing school or work, and – more dangerously – serious illness or premature death.
These are avoidable dangers and thankfully the UK is moving in the right direction to address period poverty.
Possible solutions to period poverty
You may see now that in lots of places you visit you will see free period products in public toilets. Businesses are getting on board too and stocking products for both visitors and staff.
Schools and colleges
All washroom facilities (male, female and gender neutral) in educational facilities around the UK now provide free period products to support inclusion and tackle period poverty. Many school nurses also provide period products to students and pupils in confidence.
Public buildings
Public washrooms in libraries, museums and even many shops and restaurants now provide free period products.
Food banks
Food banks accept donated period products to try and alleviate costs on people living in poverty, as a lack of access to period products has physical as well as psychological effects on people who menstruate.
Workplaces
Many workplace washrooms now offer free period products to support staff who may be at risk of period poverty and missing work days as a result.
Technology
The Scottish Government has launched an app to help people find free period products in education and community settings across Scotland.
The more awareness there is about period poverty the more we can do to tackle and reduce it.
Wilson Washrooms supports solutions to alleviate period poverty in Scotland
Wilson Washroom Services is delighted to support this legislation to help people across Scotland gain access to free period products in public washrooms. We supply and install period product coin-free vending machines and hygienic disposal bins in washroom cubicles at various council-run and educational sites.
Our servicing and maintenance contracts for period products and disposal are tailored to our clients’ requirements to meet the increasing demands of supplying free period products in Scotland.
Do you need a washroom solution?
Contact us today for a free site survey and a washroom solution that meets modern demands.
Find out more about free period products and our range of vending machines and products and why you should use Wilson Washroom Services.
