There was a moment when Scotland decided to tackle a problem that is still too little talked about: period poverty.
It was 2020 when the Scottish Parliament approved the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act, a historic law that made the country the first in the world to guarantee free menstrual products to anyone who needs them.
We talked about it here: Scotland becomes the first country in the world to provide free sanitary pads to all women
The measure became fully operational from 2022, when free access to pads and tampons was made available in numerous public places: pharmacies, community centers, libraries, schools and universities. Behind this choice there was a specific objective: to fight the so-called period povertythe condition where many girls and women are unable to afford essential products during their period. A problem that, in some cases, even leads to skipping school or work.
But has Scotland remained the only forward-thinking country? Not exactly.
Not just Scotland
The Scottish decision has had a domino effect in recent years. More and more governments have begun to recognize that period products are not luxury goods, but basic necessities.
New Zealand
In 2021, New Zealand introduced a national program to provide free pads and tampons to all female students in schools. The initiative, supported by the then prime minister Jacinda Ardernarose from a worrying fact: about one in twelve girls said they skipped classes because they couldn’t afford menstrual products.
The measure therefore aims to reduce school absenteeism and social inequalities, guaranteeing all female students access to what they need.
We talked about it here: New Zealand will distribute free pads and tampons in all schools from June
France
France has also decided to intervene on the issue of menstrual poverty.
Since 2021, the Government has started the free distribution of period products in universities, installing vending machines on campuses and in student accommodation.
According to data released at the time, almost one in three students declared difficulty in purchasing sanitary pads or tampons. The measure therefore aims to make the university a more inclusive and accessible place.
Spain
In 2023, Spain also passed one of the most advanced legislation on menstrual health in Europe.
The law provides free menstrual products in health centers, schools and public facilities, along with other innovative measures such as menstrual leave for those suffering from disabling pain.
A reform that brought the issue of menstrual health to the center of public policies.
And in Italy?
In Italy the debate is still far from these results. In recent years, many campaigns have brought to attention the issue of the tampon tax, the VAT on menstrual products, which has been reduced from 22% to 10% for some products.
But universal free access – like the one introduced in Scotland – still remains a distant objective, apart from a few isolated cases of Regions, such as Valle d’Aosta, which have decided in complete autonomy.
Yet, the message sent by the small country of the United Kingdom is now clear: menstruation is not a luxury and access to period products should be guaranteed to everyone.
