Free sanitary products will be made available in all secondary schools, colleges and universities in Scotland.
The new £5.2 million scheme aims to help “banish the scourge of period poverty” for 395,000 pupils, college students and university students.
The Scottish government says it is the first in the world to provide free sanitary products to all pupils and students. Concerns have been growing across the UK in recent times that many girls are missing school because they cannot afford sanitary products.
Communities secretary Aileen Campbell said: “In a country as rich as Scotland it’s unacceptable that anyone should struggle to buy basic sanitary products.”
Alison Evison, president of local authorities body Cosla, said: “While the primary aim is to ensure no young person misses out on their education through lack of access to sanitary products, it will also contribute to a more open conversation and reducing the unnecessary stigma associated with periods.”
Colleges Scotland chief executive Shona Struthers said: “Nobody should be in a position where they are unable to access these essential hygiene products because they are simply unaffordable.
“All colleges have embraced this policy and will be making sanitary products freely available to those who need them.”
Universities Scotland head of public affairs Susannah Lane said: “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.”
The Scottish government has worked on the scheme with Cosla, Colleges Scotland, Universities Scotland and the Scottish Funding Council.
Earlier this year, a report on a trial project in Aberdeen found that providing free sanitary products to schoolgirls was “challenging” because pupils may “misuse” them or find it too embarrassing to ask for them. It also found that schools were reluctant to leave sanitary products in toilet areas due to fears that they would be used for vandalism.
