Should other countries follow its lead?
This summer, Scotland became the first country to provide free sanitary products to anyone who needs them. Should other countries follow its lead? Have you ever felt stressed, anxious or ashamed about your period — or do you know someone who has? Has the cost of pads or tampons ever been a challenge for you or someone you know?
In “Scotland Makes Period Products Free,” Remy Tumin writes about a massive step the country has taken to ease these costs:
Period products are now free to anyone in Scotland who needs them, nearly two years after the country’s Parliament approved a landmark piece of legislation.
The initiative makes Scotland the first country in the world to provide free sanitary products, part of a global effort to end “period poverty” — or a lack of access to tampons or sanitary pads because of prohibitively high costs.
Monica Lennon, the lawmaker who submitted the draft proposal for the Period Products Act in 2020, tweeted that Scotland might be “the first but won’t be the last” country to provide free period products.
“We are witnessing a massive culture change, where period stigma is no longer being tolerated,” Ms. Lennon said in an email to The New York Times. “There’s more emphasis on menstrual well-being and a renewed focus on tackling medical misogyny.”
Northern Ireland is considering a similar measure, and New Zealand and Seoul offer free menstrual products in schools. “It gives me hope that we won’t be the last country to put access to free period products on the statute books,” Ms. Lennon said.
Shona Robison, Scotland’s social justice secretary, echoed Ms. Lennon.
“Providing access to free period products is fundamental to equality and dignity, and removes the financial barriers to accessing them,” she said in a statement. As the cost of living is rising and many are making difficult choices, she added, “We never want anyone to be in a position where they cannot access period products.”
The 2020 legislation in Scotland came on the heels of an earlier law that provided free access to tampons and sanitary pads in schools, colleges, universities and other public buildings. Now every council in Scotland is required to consult with local communities to determine the best access point for menstrual products. In her email, Ms. Lennon said that period products would be available at libraries, swimming pools, public gyms, community buildings, town halls, pharmacies and doctors offices.
Students, read the entire article and then tell us:
What do you think of Scotland’s new law? Do you think period products should be free for everyone in your country? Why or why not?
If not, do you think they should be free for some groups or in some instances? For example, do you think students should have free access to period products in schools, as is now required in 17 states and Washington, D.C.?
In the United States, there is a movement to repeal state sales taxes applied to menstrual products, often called the tampon tax. Ms. Tumin writes, “Those in favor of repealing the tax argue that necessities like tampons and pads should be tax-exempt, while others argue that states need the revenue.” What do you think? Should period products be tax-free?
Ms. Lennon said, “We are witnessing a massive culture change, where period stigma is no longer being tolerated.” Do you agree? Is your generation more open to talking about women’s health? If so, does that include boys as well as girls?
What are some things you think we could do as a society to reduce period stigma and “medical misogyny”? Ms. Lennon presents free period products as one solution. And in this essay, which was a runner-up in our 2021 Student Editorial Contest, a student argues that making menstruation a part of the health curriculum — for boys and for girls — can make talking about a period less taboo. What do you think of these approaches? What other ideas do you have?
Ms. Lennon asserts that “Providing access to free period products is fundamental to equality and dignity.” Do you agree with this statement? How urgent is addressing “period poverty” in your community? What about globally? Why?
In “Scotland Makes Period Products Free,” Remy Tumin writes about a massive step the country has taken to ease these costs:
Period products are now free to anyone in Scotland who needs them, nearly two years after the country’s Parliament approved a landmark piece of legislation.
The initiative makes Scotland the first country in the world to provide free sanitary products, part of a global effort to end “period poverty” — or a lack of access to tampons or sanitary pads because of prohibitively high costs.
Monica Lennon, the lawmaker who submitted the draft proposal for the Period Products Act in 2020, tweeted that Scotland might be “the first but won’t be the last” country to provide free period products.
“We are witnessing a massive culture change, where period stigma is no longer being tolerated,” Ms. Lennon said in an email to The New York Times. “There’s more emphasis on menstrual well-being and a renewed focus on tackling medical misogyny.”
Northern Ireland is considering a similar measure, and New Zealand and Seoul offer free menstrual products in schools. “It gives me hope that we won’t be the last country to put access to free period products on the statute books,” Ms. Lennon said.
Shona Robison, Scotland’s social justice secretary, echoed Ms. Lennon.
“Providing access to free period products is fundamental to equality and dignity, and removes the financial barriers to accessing them,” she said in a statement. As the cost of living is rising and many are making difficult choices, she added, “We never want anyone to be in a position where they cannot access period products.”
The 2020 legislation in Scotland came on the heels of an earlier law that provided free access to tampons and sanitary pads in schools, colleges, universities and other public buildings. Now every council in Scotland is required to consult with local communities to determine the best access point for menstrual products. In her email, Ms. Lennon said that period products would be available at libraries, swimming pools, public gyms, community buildings, town halls, pharmacies and doctors offices.
Students, read the entire article and then tell us:
What do you think of Scotland’s new law? Do you think period products should be free for everyone in your country? Why or why not?
If not, do you think they should be free for some groups or in some instances? For example, do you think students should have free access to period products in schools, as is now required in 17 states and Washington, D.C.?
In the United States, there is a movement to repeal state sales taxes applied to menstrual products, often called the tampon tax. Ms. Tumin writes, “Those in favor of repealing the tax argue that necessities like tampons and pads should be tax-exempt, while others argue that states need the revenue.” What do you think? Should period products be tax-free?
Ms. Lennon said, “We are witnessing a massive culture change, where period stigma is no longer being tolerated.” Do you agree? Is your generation more open to talking about women’s health? If so, does that include boys as well as girls?
What are some things you think we could do as a society to reduce period stigma and “medical misogyny”? Ms. Lennon presents free period products as one solution. And in this essay, which was a runner-up in our 2021 Student Editorial Contest, a student argues that making menstruation a part of the health curriculum — for boys and for girls — can make talking about a period less taboo. What do you think of these approaches? What other ideas do you have?
Ms. Lennon asserts that “Providing access to free period products is fundamental to equality and dignity.” Do you agree with this statement? How urgent is addressing “period poverty” in your community? What about globally? Why?
