Bill to end period poverty

Date: 21st September 2017
Category: Child poverty

Views are being sought on a proposal for a Bill to ensure free access to sanitary products, including in schools, colleges and universities.

This consultation follows the commitment made by the Scottish Government in this year's Programme for Government to combat period poverty by introducing a series of measures to improve the accessibility of sanitary products in Scotland. This includes providing schools, colleges and universities with access to free sanitary products.

Research outlined in the consultation suggests that the cost of sanitary products can be a significant strain on women and families living in poverty in Scotland. It can impact particularly on girls' education if they cannot afford sanitary products each month and may result in additional absences from school. The proposed Bill will therefore act to mitigate the effects of 'period poverty' by placing a duty on Scottish Ministers to introduce a universal system of free provision of sanitary products.

Responses will be used to take forward the Proposed Sanitary Products (Free Provision)(Scotland) Bill.

• Find out more and respond to the consultation here.