Period products reach half a million people

Free period products are now available to more than half a million people across Scotland.

The Scottish Government has invested £15 million in its world-leading action to widen provision and tackle the stigma surrounding periods.

Later this year, an app will be launched to provide information on where to get free products and resources introduced to support employers who want to do more to provide them.

Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said:

“The work we are doing in Scotland is world-leading and I am delighted we are now reaching up to 500,000 women and girls.

“Every school, college and university in Scotland and over 800 community organisations now provide free products, and we are working with councils to make sure they are available in a range of community settings such as local libraries and town halls. 

“Having your period is normal and natural – something half the population experiences. That’s why we launched a ground-breaking campaign, ‘Let’s Call Periods, Periods’, to challenge the stigma around periods and encourage more people to talk openly about them.

“The breadth and reach of what is happening here is not replicated anywhere else in the world and we are committed to making sure our work is reaching everyone it should.”

Background

The Scottish Government launched a scheme to provide free period products in schools, colleges and universities launched in 2018. This has since been expanded to provide products to those who need them the most in community settings.

Supermarket Chain ASDA provide free period products to their staff and Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell visited one of their stores in Edinburgh on 13 February to find out how this provision is helping employees.