Pharmacies and community centers will offer pads and tampons for free.

Since 2016, members of Scotland’s parliament such as Monica Lennon have been attempting to pass legislation that would offer free menstrual sanitation products to anyone who needs them in the country. Back in 2020, this legislation was finally passed by the parliament, and as of today, it has officially gone into effect.

Starting today, Scotland citizens can visit pharmacies and community centers to obtain menstrual products like pads and tampons at no charge. While some other countries like New Zealand distribute menstrual products in places like schools, Scotland is the very first country in the world to offer them for free throughout their entirety.

“Proud of what we have achieved in Scotland. We are the first but won’t be the last,” Lennon said on her Twitter.

“Providing access to free period products is fundamental to equality and dignity, and removes the financial barriers to accessing them,” Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison said in a statement, adding that it was “more important than ever” to enact as retail costs rise around the world.

In many countries throughout the world, particularly in the United States, it can be difficult for women of all ages to obtain menstrual products when necessary. One pack of tampons can cost around $10 USD, and due to ongoing supply chain disruptions, certain brands have not been as readily available. According to a 2019 survey, nearly half of American women living in low-income settings can’t afford both menstrual products and daily necessities like food.