The passing of the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act into law last week marked a historic moment in the fight against period poverty, but the battle is far from over. The cost of living crisis is raging and thousands of people across the UK face difficult decisions around their menstrual health.
Local authorities face a significant struggle in the ongoing cost of living crisis, as more and more people encounter higher bills, spiralling petrol prices and the need to use foodbanks. And the crisis is shining a light on the extent of period poverty too.
Period poverty is nothing new. It is a problem that has wreaked havoc on young people’s education for decades, taking away the enjoyment of both learning and participating in sport from people up and down the country.
It may seem impossible that in this day and age, people have to make difficult decisions over whether or not they can afford something as basic as period products – especially when it’s for their children. But that’s the reality we find ourselves in today, with one in 10 people affected by period poverty. And that’s exactly why the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act marked such a historic moment.
In my role at social enterprise Hey Girls, I have heard countless cases of youngsters using things such as socks, bread and newspapers as alternatives to period products. Not just do they pose a hygiene risk, they can also pose a serious threat to health. The fact that this is a problem faced in the 21st century should be shocking to all.
The historic act, brought into law on August 15, saw Scotland become the first country in the world to protect the right to free period products, making them available to those who need them. Local authorities and education providers must stock them, no matter where in the country they are.
But it’s not just period poverty that legislation like the Period Products Act is helping to combat. It’s aiding the fight to improve period dignity too. Everyone deserves the right to a dignified period, ensuring no-one should be caught short while at work or at school.
The act is particularly important in our native Scotland, where the number of people living in period poverty had reached a shocking one in four. We have worked in partnership with numerous Scottish local authorities to provide free period products since our launch in 2018, as well as with some in Wales and Northern Ireland. However, it is now time more across the UK stepped up to the plate.
The debate around free period products is spreading across the UK and it seems many are now waking up to the reality we face. In England we have seen a period product scheme for schools and colleges, although the measure has yet to be made permanent. Some English authorities like Oxford City Council and Surrey County Council have set up their own schemes, although a united approach doesn’t feel like it’s coming anytime soon.
Northern Ireland is following in Scotland’s steps with its own Period Products (Free Provision) Bill, which was passed by the assembly earlier this year. We’ve already teamed up with the likes of Belfast City Council and Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council and look forward to partnering with more in what will be a historic moment for the country. Our products are available through 12 local authorities across Wales, although no legal right to free access have been made by the Welsh government. Those who have already signed up with us have seen a great response from their local community, as well as extensive coverage in the media.
Make no mistake, last week’s news from Scotland is a truly historic moment and one that deserves international recognition and praise. But this is the very beginning of a new era for menstrual health – a world where everyone recognises period products are a necessity and certainly not a luxury.
Our community partners are struggling – foodbanks are seeing ever increasing numbers of people needing their services and charities face a fundraising crisis as people cannot afford to donate. While the Period Products Act shows that a brave new world is in reach, the cost of living crisis shows us we have plenty more troubled water to pass through first.
Politicians, lawmakers and – more importantly – campaigners, have done a fantastic job to get us to where we are today.
This is a significant step in our fight. But we won’t be putting down our sword anytime soon.
Georgie Nicholson is a partnerships and contracts manager at Hey Girls, a social enterprise dedicated to ending period poverty and improving period dignity.
