FSRH statement: FSRH supports the passing into law of the Period Poverty (Free Provision) (Scotland) Members Bill: November 25th 2020

The Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) welcomes the unanimous support given by MSPs to the final stage of the Period Poverty (Free Provision) (Scotland) Members Bill, making Scotland the first country in the world to embed free access to period products into law.

This historic Member’s Bill, spearheaded by Monica Lennon MSP (Convenor, Cross Party Group: Women’s Health), means that sanitary pads, tampons and other products will be available for free to people who need them.

The Scottish Government will now set up a Scotland-wide distribution scheme Schools, colleges and universities must make period products freely available, and the Scottish Government has the power to make other public bodies provide period products for free.

Dr Alison Scott, Chair of FSRH Scotland Committee, said:

‘I am delighted that all those who need free access to period products across Scotland can now get them, and are no longer forced into making a choice every month about whether to buy less food for their family so they can buy period products. The Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) in Scotland has supported the Bill from the start with the aim to address period poverty and to make life easier for everyone who menstruates. We know how much this will improve life and reduce stress and anxiety for thousands of women and girls across the country’.

ENDS

For enquiries, please contact Camila Azevedo, External Affairs Manager, at cazevedo@fsrh.org / 02037945309

Notes to editors

• The Member’s Bill was introduced by Monica Lennon MSP. Under the Bill, the Scottish Government must set up a Scotland-wide scheme to allow anyone who needs period products to get them free of charge. Schools, colleges and universities must make a range of period products available for free, in their toilets. The Scottish Government will have the power to make other public bodies provide period products for free. Read more here.
• Our Scotland Committee has supported the Bill since its introduction in the Scottish Parliament in April 2019. Our previous statement is available here.
• The Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) is the largest UK professional membership organisation working at the heart of sexual and reproductive health (SRH), supporting healthcare professionals to deliver high quality care. It works with its 15,000 members, to shape sexual reproductive health for all. It produces evidence-based clinical guidance, standards, training, qualifications and research into SRH. It also delivers conferences and publishes The Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care.