Scotland has become the first country in the world to protect the right to free period products in law - and now a teaching union is calling on the government to go further.
New legislation comes into force today that means councils and education providers will be legally required to make free sanitary products available to those who need them - although, thanks to government funding, schemes have been up and running in schools, colleges and universities since 2018.
However, the union NASUWT Scotland says the government should do more and schemes in schools should be expanded to include not just tampons and sanitary towels but also “soap, underwear, tights and clothing”.
On Twitter this morning, NASUWT Scotland said: “The Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act is now officially in force!
“NASUWT is calling for schemes in schools to be expanded to include soap, underwear, tights and clothing.
“No pupils should miss out on learning or have learning disrupted due to their period.”
An NASUWT motion to the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) Women’s Conference, to be held in the autumn, says that “period poverty does not end with free tampons and sanitary towels” and that “many students will also need access to other products in order to feel empowered to attend school during their periods”.
Tackling period poverty: free period products in schools
It calls on the Scottish government to “extend funding to cover items such as soap, underwear, tights and clothes”.
It also calls on the STUC women’s committee to engage with councils and the government to identify and promote good practice and to raise “awareness of period poverty and the impact on girls’ education”.
Scottish government guidance, published in September last year, says that when accessing period products, individuals should not have to “ask for them, or justify why they need them or the amount that is needed”.
It also says that there should be “a reasonable choice of different period products” and consideration of “the environmental impact of single-use period products”.
The guidance adds: “In terms of this requirement, local authorities and education providers would be expected to make at least one type of tampon, sanitary towel and reusable product available.”
Speaking to Tes Scotland, the NASUWT’s national official in Scotland, Mike Corbett, said the cost-of-living crisis made the new law even more timely.
“It should not be that a girl or young woman is struggling to access period products during the school day, so we are delighted the Act comes into force today and would welcome it if the government went further,” he said.
Andrea Bradley, the new general secretary of the EIS teaching union, said the union strongly supported the new law. She said the EIS had started campaigning for free period products to be made available to girls back in 2017 when austerity was “very much biting”.
She said the campaign was an extension of the union’s anti-poverty work and had been sparked by feedback from members that girls from poorer backgrounds, in particular, were struggling to afford expensive period products and this was impacting on attendance at school.
Since 2017, around £27 million has been spent to provide access to period products in public settings in Scotland. This year £3.4 million will be provided for access to free period products for students.
The legislation was proposed by Labour MSP Monica Lennon and it was unanimously backed in the Scottish Parliament in 2020.
Ms Lennon said: “I’m proud to have pioneered the Period Products Act, which is already influencing positive change in Scotland and around the world.
“Local authorities and partner organisations have worked hard to make the legal right to access free period products a reality.
“I’m grateful to them and the thousands of people who have got involved across the country.
“This is another big milestone for period dignity campaigners and grassroots movements which shows the difference that progressive and bold political choices can make.
“As the cost-of-living crisis takes hold, the Period Products Act is a beacon of hope which shows what can be achieved when politicians come together for the good of the people we serve.”
Scotland’s social justice secretary, Shona Robison, said: “Providing access to free period products is fundamental to equality and dignity, and removes the financial barriers to accessing them.
“This is more important than ever at a time when people are making difficult choices due to the cost-o- living crisis and we never want anyone to be in a position where they cannot access period products.
“Since 2018, we have delivered ground-breaking action by providing free period products for pupils and students in all our schools, colleges and universities.”
She continued: “We are proud to be the first national government in the world to take such action.
“The work we are doing in Scotland continues to be world-leading, going beyond provision of free products.
“We have also provided funding for an educational website for employers, run a successful anti-stigma campaign and improved menstrual health resources available for schools.
“I’m grateful to all the young women and girls who have been crucial in developing the best ways to access products to meet their needs.”
