As a woman growing up in the 21st century it’s hard to wrap my head around the logic behind why menstrual products are not free around the world. Menstruation is the biological process those with a uterus undergo in preparation for pregnancy when they hit puberty. Cisgender women and others with similar bodies don’t get to choose when or where they can have their periods, as it has to do more with their cycle. Why is this important? Scotland recently announced that they will be making feminine hygiene products free of cost and available at most public washrooms through the Period Products bill.
You might be wondering, why are free menstrual products a great investment for any given country? For starters, it reduces local waste. Countries that are trying to make feminine hygiene products free or countries that have already made it free are also looking at the beneficial aspects of this investment concerning the environment. If these products are free the government has more control over what products are available which allows the government to produce biodegradable products. It’s killing two birds with one stone! Another factor countries should take into consideration is the ethical side of how these products are sold. Feminine hygiene products tend to be expensive, considering women and those in need of them never have a say on whether or not they have to bleed. Therefore making these products expensive limits access to necessary items. Access to these products is very expensive not only for individuals purchasing for self-use but for local shelters for those in need to supply their residents. As the list goes on we see many unethical aspects of this situation come to light while countries still make huge investments in sectors that don’t need it as much as the cis and transgender women, agender, or genderfluid individuals in these countries do. Scotland didn’t wake up one day and decide that they will make menstrual products free, this took years to come to light. The fact that Scotland undertook this phenomenal task is a valid reason for hope that other countries will follow suit. About two years ago Scotland decided to first make feminine hygiene free in schools and it went brilliantly. This bill took years to gain recognition, with many local activism organizations and groups being the backbone.
Scotland took a large step that many countries have yet to take. With organizations that support women and equal rights, we could make Scotland’s reality into our reality as well.
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Written by: Sumeya Mohamed