Free the period: free sanitary products in Scotland
Alison Johnstone, Member of the Scottish Parliament for Lothian
Isabelle Osborne examines the advantages and disadvantages of Scotland’s recent decision to make all sanitary products free.
As of this month, Scotland has become the first nation to approve the availability of free menstrual products in public places. After an unanimous vote, the bill will make tampons and pads free in community centres and pharmacies, amongst other locations, across Scotland. This follows the 2018 legislation to provide free sanitary items in schools, colleges, and universities. Scottish lawmaker Alison Johnstone pointed out that if toilet paper is a necessity, why aren’t period products, with Monica Lennon observing that Scotland is “changing the culture and it’s really exciting that other countries right around the world are watching very closely to see what we do.” With the bill raising multiple divided opinions, this article will consider both the positive and negative reactions.
“Being financially penalised for a natural bodily function is not equitable or just,” argued Johnstone. Arguably the most persuasive reason in favour of the bill, Johnstone alludes to how women are forced to part with money in light of their monthly period, something men have no necessity to do. As a woman myself, I am all too aware of how I have no choice but to purchase menstrual products as a consequence of being female. I therefore sympathise with and understand the frustration of many, who, like Johnstone, feel as though they are being financially punished for a process they have no control over. The new bill will hopefully stop the government from profiting from women’s periods.
Aside from the commodification of periods, there is a darker truth behind the cost of sanitary items. I am among the lucky ones whose financial income allows for the easy purchase of period products once a month. But across the world, there are millions of young girls and women who do not have the money to pay for these sanitary products, whilst others are forced to ration them for fear of running out and being unable to replace them. This means girls feel the need to stay at home during their period and cannot go into school. By giving women access to free products, the bill could see the reduction of period poverty across Scotland, and hopefully beyond if more countries follow suit. Lennon captures this sentiment in her claim that “access to menstrual products is a right”. Whilst some may argue the status quo does not remove women’s access to products now, this right is removed from those who can’t pay for them. Period poverty is a reality that must be diminished.
Despite growing up in a time when periods are something to embrace rather than fear, admittedly, I still feel a sense of embarrassment as I walk up to the counter and place the period products in front of a male shop assistant. By making period products readily available, the bill reinforces the notion that periods are natural and those who require access to products should feel no shame in asking for them. Free sanitary products will reduce the taboo surrounding periods.
However, the bill has generated negative discourse just as much as positive. According to Refinery29, the bill will cost £24 million for the Scottish government once menstrual products are made free. Due to such a high cost, many have been made uncomfortable by the bill. We have to ask: is the bill affordable, and is it deliverable? The tampon tax (in which sanitary products in the UK are taxed at 5%) has long been an item of controversy, and I wonder whether removing this would be the first place to start in amending legislation to prepare the government for dealing with the production of free sanitary items. It is important to question whether the price of period products is high enough to justify a bill making them free.
The bill could generate further controversy, in light of how some people may believe women who do not require free sanitary items could begin to take advantage. Rather than making sanitary products available to just those “who need them”, which suggests the bill is designed to benefit those who are in financial need, perhaps it would be more beneficial to allow every girl and woman the opportunity to access free products. This would reinforce the reduction of stigma attached to periods by highlighting how women are part of one community and periods are a universal thing.
Despite the differing debates alluded to in this article, I believe the strongest thing to come out of the bill is the awakening of the Scottish government to normalising periods and working towards equality for all. In supporting women both financially and socially, the legislative change could mark the beginning of a reduction of the taboo surrounding periods and removing the financial fear attached to them. Scotland is making a statement by providing free sanitary products - will the rest of the world follow in their footsteps?
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