Scotland has become the first country in the world to pass legislation making period products freely available to all.
MSPs at the Scottish parliament unanimously approved a bill brought forward by Labour health spokeswoman Monica Lennon, bringing in the legal right of free access to items such as tampons and sanitary pads.
Ms Lennon said the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill was a “practical and progressive” piece of legislation, made all the more vital because of the coronavirus pandemic.
She said: “Periods don’t stop for pandemics and the work to improve access to essential tampons, pads and reusables has never been more important.”
The Labour MSP has been working to tackle period poverty since she was elected to Holyrood in 2016.
She said: “On the issue of period dignity, I am beyond proud that Scotland is leading the way and we have moved at a fast pace in a short space of time.”
Ms Lennon told MSPs: “We have got here because we have worked together. We have shown that this parliament can be a force for progressive change when we collaborate.
