By Nahiyat Quadri, a penultimate year LLB student.
In 2020, Scotland led a historic movement for menstrual equity, passing the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act . This landmark legislation requires schools, colleges, universities, and other public buildings to provide free period products to anyone in need. The law addresses “period poverty”—the reality that some cannot afford menstrual products—while reinforcing that menstrual health is a basic right. In England, however, similar legislation remains absent, despite efforts by advocates to raise awareness about the urgent need for accessible menstrual products across the UK.
Though England’s Department for Education offers free products in schools, the initiative is voluntary and lacks universal coverage. This leaves many individuals without access, particularly those outside of educational settings, such as homeless people, those in low-income jobs, and others who cannot afford these products. With England yet to take legislative steps, access is inconsistent and largely limited to certain locations, falling short of the comprehensive coverage Scotland provides.
Why England Needs Similar Legislation
- The cost of menstrual products places a burden on low-income households. The current absence of a legal mandate perpetuates a cycle where lack of access can impact work attendance, academic performance, and general well-being.
- Period poverty has broader implications for health, with those unable to afford products often resorting to makeshift solutions, which can cause infections and other health issues. Free provision of period products would ensure that all people who menstruate have access to safe options.
- Legislative action would acknowledge menstrual health as a societal issue, reinforcing the dignity and well-being of all individuals who menstruate.
Period poverty affects nearly 1 in 10 people in the UK, and public support for addressing it is growing. Numerous campaigns, such as the Free Periods movement, urge the government to follow Scotland’s lead. Bringing free period products to England through legislation would be a step toward addressing this issue with the attention and resources it deserves, placing the UK at the forefront of menstrual equity worldwide.
The Scottish model shows that such legislation is not only feasible but transformative. For law students and advocates, it’s a call to continue pushing for legislative change, ensuring that period products are available to all who need them.
While Scotland has led the way with groundbreaking legislation, other parts of the UK are making important strides to address period poverty, such as in Wales and Northern Ireland. The Welsh Government’s Period Proud Wales Action Plan aims to tackle period poverty by ensuring free menstrual products are available in schools, Further Education Institutions (FEIs), and some community settings across Wales. This initiative is part of a broader commitment to period dignity and inclusivity. Unlike Scotland, where the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act 2021 mandates the availability of free period products in all public spaces, Wales’ approach is not yet backed by equivalent legislation and remains focused on targeted settings such as education and health institutions (e.g., for hospital inpatients). While this represents significant progress in addressing period poverty, it does not currently extend to universal provision in all public spaces.
In Northern Ireland, the government provides free period products in schools and also in libraries, making menstrual products more widely available to the public[1]. However, like Wales, Northern Ireland’s provisions are still not as extensive as Scotland’s, and access can be more location-dependent.
While Scotland has set an exemplary precedent, many other countries have yet to adopt similar measures. In the US, for example, initiatives to provide free period products in schools or shelters are often driven by non-profit organizations or local governments rather than federal or state legislation. Some countries, such as India, have made significant strides in addressing period poverty through awareness campaigns and the provision of subsidised sanitary products, yet access to menstrual hygiene remains a significant challenge in rural and underserved areas.
. These taboos can hinder open discussions and delay the implementation of policies aimed at addressing period poverty. In some instances, there are objections based on the perceived cost of such initiatives. Critics argue that providing free period products would place a financial burden on the government or taxpayers, even though the long-term benefits—in terms of improved health outcomes, reduced inequality, and enhanced economic participation—far outweigh the costs.
However, such arguments are increasingly being challenged. Advocates point out that addressing period poverty is not a luxury expense but a necessity that upholds human dignity. The cost of inaction is high—both in terms of health and societal costs. As the evidence in Scotland demonstrates, providing free period products is not only a feasible solution but one that delivers tangible positive outcomes for individuals and communities for example…….. For example, many individuals reported that having access to free period products made it easier for them to continue with day-to-day activities, reduced their worries about menstruation, and positively impacted their household finances. Additionally, public support for such measures is growing. The ‘Free Periods’ movement, alongside other menstrual advocacy groups, has played a vital role in raising awareness and calling for legislative change.
Legislative action in England would bring the country in line with Scotland’s progressive approach, advancing the cause of menstrual equity and ensuring that no one has to choose between their health and their finances. As public support for free period products continues to grow, it is time for the UK government to make menstrual health a priority. Through legislation, England can ensure that menstrual products are readily available, easily accessible, and free of charge to those who need them. This is not just a matter of providing sanitary items; it is about upholding the rights of individuals to live without the burden of period poverty and ensuring that everyone can participate fully in society.
As advocates continue to push for legislative change, the hope is that England will follow in Scotland’s footsteps, moving beyond the barriers of stigma and misconception to create a more just and equitable society. This is not just an issue of women’s health but of social justice, equity, and human rights. By addressing period poverty through legislative action, the UK can ensure that menstruation is recognised not as a burden but as a natural part of life that should be met with dignity, respect, and support.
Bibliography
- https://www.gov.scot/policies/poverty-and-social-justice/access-to-free-period-products/#:~:text=On%2015%20August%202022%2C%20the,and%20when%20they%20are%20required.
- https://www.gov.scot/publications/period-products-free-provision-scotland-act-2021-equality-impact-assessment/
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/period-products-in-schools-and-colleges/period-product-scheme-for-schools-and-colleges-in-england#:~:text=colleges%2Din%2Dengland-,Overview,academic%20year%202024%20to%202025.
- https://www.incisionuk.com/post/breaking-the-period-poverty-cycle#:~:text=Period%20poverty%20spans%20across%20both,alternatives%20due%20to%20high%20costs.
- https://warwick.ac.uk/newsandevents/pressreleases/?newsItem=8a17841b910d3301019122b5d5416856#:~:text=%E2%80%9CThe%20reality%20in%20India%20is,millions%20of%20menstruators%20in%20India.%22
- https://allianceforperiodsupplies.org/take-action/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10372806/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10706563/
- https://www.gov.scot/publications/access-free-period-products-baseline-survey-results/pages/6/