Scotland is about to become the first country to provide free period products.

From Monday the Period Products Act will come into force andmake councils and education providers in Scotland legally required to provide free sanitary products to anybody who needs them. The new legislation was originally proposed by Labour MSP Monica Lennon and then unanimously approved by the Scottish Parliament in 2020.Ms Lennon who has been campaigning for period poverty since 2016 said:

"I'm proud to have pioneered the Period Products Act which is already influencing positive change in Scotland and around the world."Local authorities and partner organisations have worked hard to make the legal right to access free period products a reality."I'm grateful to them and the thousands of people who have got involved across the country."

This is another big milestone for period dignity campaigners and grassroots movements which shows the difference that progressive and bold political choices can make."As the cost-of-living crisis takes hold, the Period Products Act is a beacon of hope which shows what can be achieved when politicians come together for the good of the people we serve."

Each of Scotland's councils will be able to decide exactly what arrangements are put into place to ensure that there is a range of period products available for "anybody who needs them."Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison said that providing access to free period products "is fundamental to equality and dignity, and removes the financial barriers to accessing them".

"This is more important than ever at a time when people are making difficult choices due to the cost of living crisis and we never want anyone to be in a position where they cannot access period products," Ms Robison continued."Since 2018, we have delivered ground-breaking action by providing free period products for pupils and students in all our schools, colleges and universities."She added: "We are proud to be the first national government in the world to take such action."