As of August 15, 2022, Scotland has become the first and only country in the world to make period products free for anyone who needs them. As per the country’s new Period Products Act, it is the legal duty of authorities to make sure period products are free and accessible for everyone, without any explanations necessary. The country’s 32 councils have to figure out the logistics to make different options easily available for everyone. No one is required to justify why they need the products or the quantity that is needed. No information has to be shared with the authorities or forms have to be filled out for access, unless you are getting the products delivered via post.
This bill was passed in November 2020 and it hopes to destigmatise conversations around periods since a majority of females or femme-identifying people feel embarrassed buying menstrual products. In 2018, a survey of over 2000 people found that one in four participants in school, college or university struggled to access period products. That year itself, the government made history by becoming the first country in the world to make period products free for students. Taking a cue from Scotland, several other countries including India have scrapped or lowered the amount of tax levied on period products.
Period tax in India
After much outrage in India, in 2018, the government scrapped its 12 per cent tax on all sanitary products. Campaigners and protestors argued that taxing period products in a country where four out of five women as it is as have no access to sanitary pads, is going to make them even more unaffordable for the masses. Feminine hygiene products are difficult to access for women living in rural areas which leads to the usage of sawdust or leaves instead. Additionally, the lack of proper menstrual hygiene products causes girls to drop out of school or miss days on end.