Scotland has reportedly become the first country in the world to make sanitary products free for students at all schools.
The Guardian reported the Scottish government approved the $6.7 million initiative earlier this month.
“In a country as rich as Scotland, it’s unacceptable that anyone should struggle to buy basic sanitary products. I am proud that Scotland is taking this world-leading action to fight period poverty,” said Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell in a statement announcing the effort.
{mosads}”Our £5.2 million investment will mean these essential products will be available to those who need them in a sensitive and dignified way, which will make it easier for students to fully focus on their studies,” Campbell continued.
The government said in a release detailing the effort, which coincides with the start of the school year in Scotland, that it hopes the measure will help banish “the scourge of period poverty” for the country’s estimated 395,000 students.
“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,” Head of Public Affairs at Universities Scotland Susannah Lane also stated in the release.
“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,” Lane added.
According to the release, Scotland will also be providing targeted support for low income families and will be giving FareShare roughly $644,000 to distribute sanitary products to an estimated 18,800 people across the country.