In Scotland, a law comes into force requiring public and educational institutions to provide free tampons and pads to women during menstruation. This is the first national program implemented in the world. Since 2017, the Scottish government has invested over £27 million (about €32 million) into it.

Authorities promise that more than 1,000 points with free feminine hygiene products will open across the country. They can be found through a special application “PickupMyPeriod”.

Scottish Government Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison commented: “Ensuring free access to menstrual products is critical to maintaining equality and human dignity, and removing financial barriers.”

Feminine hygiene products want to be released not just in Scotland

Attitudes towards feminine hygiene products are changing not just in Scotland. In 2021 in France, students decided to provide sanitary pads and tampons for free by installing vending machines with them on campuses and dormitories. Similar programs are being implemented in New Zealand and California.

In Germany, this topic is also being discussed. In 2019, the Bundestag responded to a petition that gathered over 200,000 signatures on Change.org and lowered the VAT rate on feminine hygiene items, making them significantly cheaper. The next petition by women’s rights activists, posted on the same portal, demanded that the country’s authorities follow Scotland’s example and make these funds free. This petition has also received tens of thousands of signatures.