This month, a new report has been published by Days for Girls International and New Perimeter highlighting the scope of menstrual health across 12 countries. The report analyses various laws and policies that impact menstrual health within education. 

Here is a excerpt from Scotland's review, which Monica Lennon was delighted to contribute to: 

"Recognized as a country within the United Kingdom’s territories, Scotland became the first country to pass legislation in November 2020 that would provide period products for free in public places. Members of the Scottish Parliament unanimously approved the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act 2021 (hereinafter, the “Act”), mandating that local authorities provide tampons and pads to “anyone who needs to use them” in public places. Legal duties were not attached to the Act, however, until August 15, 2022, when the law enshrined that councils and education providers would be legally required to make period products available free of charge, enabling access in community centers, pharmacies, youth clubs and other public places."

You can read the report here: Advancing-Menstrual-Health-Education-and-Economic-Progress.pdf (newperimeter.com)

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What role can sustainable period products play in tackling period poverty?
Scotland’s game changing Free Period Products bill is a major step towards eradicating period poverty in Scotland. Should our next goal be planet-friendly periods for all?

Periods and the environment
Each of us uses around 11,000 disposable periods products in our menstruating life. As you can imagine, this number comes with a huge environmental impact.
Disposable tampons and pads are the most commonly used period products and are known to contain up to 90% plastic. According to a UN-sponsored report, 49 billion single-use period products are used every year in the EU alone. Most of them end up in landfill, or worse: in our oceans and waterways. Despite increasing awareness of the impact of disposables, 1.5 billion period products are still flushed down the toilet in the UK every year.

The toxic trio of period poverty
Period poverty is caused by a ‘toxic trio’: the cost of products, a lack of period education, and stigma around periods. Providing free period products to those in need is an important step towards period dignity for all. But we can’t ignore the other two culprits.

We need to talk about periods
Decades of misinformation and period shaming (even by some period product brands!) mean that menstruation is still considered taboo by many. As a pioneering ethical period brand, smashing that taboo has been a major objective for us. When we first started in 2002, people just weren't publicly talking about periods. We wanted to support people in making informed decisions about the products they were using.  And in order to evaluate choices and habits, that silence around periods needed to change.

We are so proud that our work has brought sustainable menstrual products to the mainstream, but let’s not kid ourselves, the period taboo lives on. Free period products have been fairly widely available in many places, such as schools for years, but the unspoken nature of this very natural bodily function has stopped the information from reaching those in need.

We need stigma-free period education
If we believe in a culture and environment that supports girls, women and people with periods, we need frank and stigma-busting menstrual health education. Research has shown that young people feel the education they receive focuses too much on just the biological elements of menstruation. Anyone with periods knows that menstruation involves so much more than knowing your ‘follicular’ from your ‘luteinising phase’!

Young people want to learn about the embodied experience of periods, like cramps and hormonal changes, as well as how to deal with them. The best way to debunk these taboos is to encourage an open dialogue and unashamedly talk about these topics. Period education should include discussion about our society’s and media’s attitude towards periods too.
Having seen a gap in current education resources available for educators, we recently launched a free Period Education pack for primary and secondary school teachers in the UK. It’s been developed by Mooncup together with menstrual and sexual health experts. The pack is designed to be a curriculum-related, inclusive, and stigma-busting resource, and it includes many opportunities for discussion about our society’s attitude towards periods.

Sometimes reusable period products are not the answer
Mooncup® supporters often reach out to us as they are keen to explore whether Mooncup could be an answer to period poverty. It is after all a sustainable, long-term solution, removing the need for monthly purchases.

So, while the Mooncup can often be a great solution, as an ethical business, it is important that we can be sure that the Mooncup is being introduced in an environment where it is genuinely wanted and helpful.  Understanding the circumstances of the user is key.  There are practical points to consider, like access to usage support, clean water for washing hands, and cleaning the Mooncup. We also need to respect people’s preferences for internal or external products.

Sometimes other basic needs simply come first and trying something new is the last thing someone in a state of crisis might wish to do. The points mentioned can also be valid for other reusable period products, such as period pants and reusable pads: they need washing facilities, a place for drying, and a change in a long-term habit. 

Reusable period products as a solution for period poverty
We know period poverty doesn’t only touch on people in crisis. With the cost of living crisis intensifying, one in eight Britons says they are going to struggle to afford period products over the next year. In many cases the benefits of the reusables, especially menstrual cups like the Mooncup, are clear. You only need one Mooncup, which can last years and years. There’s no need to stockpile different absorbency pads or tampons and with no monthly repeat purchase, a lot of money is saved.

When reusables, like the Mooncup® menstrual cup, are an appropriate solution, it is also important for the people using them to have access to good support and advice about usage. At Mooncup, we offer a unique Advice Service to all our customers. All our Mooncup Advisors are medically trained nurses or midwives, and they are happy to help with any Mooncup-related questions.

While disposable period products may seem like a cheaper option to offer to those in need, in the long run, they will incur a higher cost to the provider - not to mention our planet. Reusable period products should be a standard option in all period poverty schemes. Our work with many UK and international charities shows that providing reusables, like the Mooncup, can be a real gamechanger and a step closer to a world with a better, shame-free, and dignified period experience for all.
 
Lena Koskela for Mooncup Ltd
​Instagram: @mooncupltd

Speak Out champions are a group of girls and young women who make up Girlguiding Scotland’s youth panel. They act as spokespeople for the organisation and share their views on issues that matter to them and other girls across the country.

They’ve always been passionate about ending period poverty for good and have supported Monica Lennon MSP over the years in her quest to make this a reality. Check out this blog by Speak Out champion Eloise and find out more about what part they played!
 
Making sure there’s access to free period products is one of the most important moves the Scottish government has made. By getting rid of the idea that period products are something of a luxury so many more individuals have been able to get access to the resources they need like pads, tampons etc. It especially helps those who might get their period for the first time without warning somewhere like school. This helps improve overall school attendance as those who may have experienced embarrassment or found themselves unable to attend school due to lack of access of period products, will now no longer have to face this issue.
 
The impact the Free Period Products (Scotland) Act has had on those experiencing period poverty is tremendous. Our Girlguiding Scotland Girls in Scotland Survey found that 25% of girls had experienced period poverty or knew someone who had, with 13% of girls as young as 13-25 having experienced period poverty themselves. By making free products available we have taken one further step towards equity in both the financial world and healthcare world, as well as opening the door of opportunity to those who may have once felt held back by their period.
 
As a member of Girlguiding Scotland and a Speak Out Champion I’m aware of how much hard work from our passionate members went into supporting and fighting for this bill to pass. Between speaking on behalf of our members and girls at the Scottish Parliament, conducting surveys, creating a campaign to raise awareness within units and even helping girls take part in supporting women’s shelters to provide products, we as an organisation fully support the Act and can already feel the positive affect that it is having.
 
By Eloise, Girlguiding Scotland Speak Out Champion

Speak Out champions are a group of girls and young women who make up Girlguiding Scotland’s youth panel. They act as spokespeople for the organisation and share their views on issues that matter to them and other girls across the country.
 
They’ve always been passionate about ending period poverty for good and have supported Monica Lennon MSP over the years in her quest to make this a reality. Check out this blog by Speak Out champion Lauren and find out more about what part they played!
 
Period Poverty affects everyone in one way or another - whether it affects individuals based on the costs of products, or not having the basic facilities to manage their periods. Plan International UK found that 14% of people have had to borrow products from others because they couldn’t afford to buy period products. In addition to this, 12% have made use of alternatives because they couldn't afford to buy regular products, and almost 20% have had to switch to a less suitable period product because of the costs.
Since this survey, over the past 5 years there has been a lot of positive change surrounding the issue of period poverty. In 2017 a pilot programme was launched in Aberdeen to provide free products to low income households. Shortly after, Girlguiding Scotland launched their Period Poverty campaign in September, stating that no-one should be forced to forego period products because of cost or lack of facilities, calling to improve access to products for all. 
In 2019, Monica Lennon MSP proposed the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill and alongside Girlguiding’s Speak Out champions, campaigned at the Scottish Parliament until November 2020 when it was finally passed. It became an Act officially on 12 January 2021, meaning all educational facilities must supply a range of period products in their bathrooms, as well as a Scotland-wide scheme to supply free products to anyone who needs them.
Period poverty is an ongoing issue because most people with periods have them recurring for around 40 years, having to buy products for half of their lives. Our Girls in Scotland survey shows that two-thirds of young women in Scotland said that they’re aware of more environmentally friendly products - many of which are actually healthier alternatives.
Our survey shows that 58% of young women think reusable products are too expensive. More needs to be done to have affordable access to these long-lasting reusable products, as not only do these products help the environment with less plastic waste, but they limit the costs of buying products constantly.
There is still a long way to go to illuminating period poverty altogether, but it feels like we’re on the right track!

By Lauren, Girlguiding Scotland Speak Out Champion

Speak Out champions are a group of girls and young women who make up Girlguiding Scotland’s youth panel. They act as spokespeople for the organisation and share their views on issues that matter to them and other girls across the country.

​They’ve always been passionate about ending period poverty for good and have supported Monica Lennon MSP over the years in her quest to make this a reality. Check out this blog by Speak Out champion Abby and find out more about what part they played!

In recent years Scotland introduced the Free Period Products Bill to help those who are unable to afford them or access them. This allows period dignity for those who may not have had it before and who have experience period poverty, and it makes a huge difference within their lives. They won’t need to constantly be worried about trying to afford essential products each month, as it’s not up to them whether they have their period or not.
Not only that, it also breaks the stigma around periods. This makes it easier for many girls, women and people who might have felt self-conscious if they weren’t able to afford the essential products they need to manage their periods.
Here at Girlguiding Scotland we believe that period products should be free and easily accessible to those who need it. Our Girls in Scotland research into free period products found that 89% believed that having access to free period products in school/college/university helps to reduce the stigma around periods within the community.
Girlguiding Scotland also created a campaign to end period poverty and worked with other organisations to reach their goal. 2020 was a milestone for the campaign as the Free Period Products Bill became law. This places a legal duty on local authorities to guarantee that there are free period products available to those who need them.
More locally in my area, in 2018 Stirling University made free period products available across campus due to the £5.2 million fund which they received from the government, alongside other Universities and Colleges. The scheme which was implemented aimed to help banish period poverty experienced by any of the 395,000 of Scotland’s school, college and university students. Also, as of 2019, Stirling Council introduced free period products within public facilities as part of the authority’s ongoing commitment to tackle poverty. 
By taking all these measures and through the life changing Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act, many people will not be plunged into poverty due to the high costs of period products.
Hopefully talk of periods among people might even become more normal within society meaning there will be more awareness on how to access free period products.
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By Abby, Girlguiding Scotland Speak Out Champion

At South Lanarkshire College we are committed to ensuring there are no barriers to education.  As such, we have continued to raise awareness of period poverty since 2017 and provide free sanitary products to all staff and students. 
As part of this commitment sanitary products continue to be available from free dispensing machines in toilets through the campus for all staff and students, including in gender neutral and fully accessible toilets.  In addition to this, the College also creates holiday packs which are available prior to term time holidays such as Easter, Summer break and Christmas, as well as shorter holidays throughout the year.  These packs consist of a mix of products and can be collected from multiple points throughout the College, without having to request them from a member of staff.  We believe it is essential that staff and students can collect these products as and when suits them without having to speak with someone to arrange collection. 
To highlight this work at the time, a dedicated poster campaign was created and shared providing details on where products could be collected and to reiterate that these items were available to all staff and students.
Due to restrictions as a result of the pandemic we had to ensure that these products were still available while staff and students worked remotely.  To facilitate this, we partnered with Hey Girls to provide delivery of sanitary products direct to home addresses.  The order process was straightforward and accessible with Hey Girls developing a short survey that respondents could complete, providing details of the type of products they would prefer.  These items were then delivered direct to the respondent free of charge. 
As we started to provide blended learning, the College continued to provide this remote service in partnership with Hey Girls, in addition to providing on campus products.  We fully intend to continue providing both services for the foreseeable future. 
The feedback received to date has been overwhelmingly positive, particularly during lockdown when many staff and students were unable to access these items free of charge.
Promotion of this service has been available through multiple channels including staff and student newsletters, social media, poster campaigns, student handbook and surveys.  In reference to moving forward we would be keen to create a new survey to review as to whether there are any further measures we can put in place to help assist staff and students.
The College is also keen to promote sustainable alternatives as part of the availability of free sanitary products.  This includes menstrual cups, reusable period pants and reusable pads.  Prior to lockdown, there were several occasions where information stalls were set up in the College’s main atrium to raise awareness of these products and provide access to these free products.  As restrictions ease, we are keen to return to this way of promoting the service.
We are also looking to build upon our partnerships with Hey Girls and within the local community, especially in relation to the Access to Free Sanitary Provision in South Lanarkshire.  Previously we have shared the social media messaging and survey compiled by the local authority, which is aimed to help shape future sanitary provision in South Lanarkshire College.  Looking ahead we are liaising with South Lanarkshire Council about a member of the Community Engagement Team visiting the campus to consult directly with students on Access to Free Sanitary Provision throughout South Lanarkshire.   
Particularly in the current economic climate with many students and staff facing increasing living costs, we believe it is now more important than ever that everyone can access these essential products.  South Lanarkshire College looks forward to continuing with these important partnerships and services to ensure free and equitable access to sanitary products in an accessible and dignified way. 

​Rose Harkness, Head of Student Services

Code Red was launched in 2020 within Denny High School when it was apparent that periods were impacting attendance; we established the group to support period dignity and challenge the stigma around periods.  
 
In the beginning, we formed Code Red with a mix of junior and senior pupils – Jenna and Katie (both now S5 were original members) - and Physics teacher Miss Dickson; now we have new members: Ellie, Abi, Emma, Olivia and Bethany, and we make sure everyone has access to period products by restocking toilets for both pupils and staff throughout the year. We use tannoy announcements to ensure pupils and staff are aware of Code Red and their goals and we’ve found that regular announcements has reduced vandalism and continues to challenge the stigma as we highlight period poverty and the purpose of the products. 
 
During lockdown we ensured both pupils and families had access to products by developing a delivery service through ‘MS Forms’ before the local authority service was available and it was very exciting to win CVS Falkirk’s ‘Innovative Volunteer of the Year’ Award 2021.  
 
Katie: “We have had so many opportunities through Code Red. My highlight was when I was 1 of 20 girls selected to develop an eco-friendly period product with Dame in Oxford. My willingness to try alternative products has driven Code Red to educate our school community about sustainable options through Code Red Go Eco.” 
 
We were delighted to meet Monica Lennon, MSP to celebrate one year of The Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) at Stage 3 in November 2021 as she was our inspiration behind Code Red. 
 
Abi (S4): “I joined Code Red this year because I could see the positive impact it was having on pupils and staff… I’ve enjoyed creating TikToks to support period dignity as well as using the vinyl printer to design Code Red jumpers. Any key event in the Code Red calendar is followed by cupcakes and party canons to highlight the work we do and ensure achievements are celebrated.” 
 
Communicating through Instagram and Twitter (@_DHSCodeRed) has helped us reach more pupils and share updates with the wider community as well as set an example for secondary schools in Scotland – we have recently been invited by Education Scotland to deliver a professional learning event for teachers across Scotland which will be an exciting opportunity to share our journey and support other schools in establishing a period dignity group. 
 
Miss Dickson: “As a teacher, it has been a privilege to work towards normalising periods with a group of young people who share the same determination to reduce inequalities and are committed to social justice. There has been a real shift in attitudes around period dignity whereby our school community recognise that period products are a necessity within all toilets. We are delighted to have the opportunity to work in partnership with Education Scotland and take Code Red to the next level by supporting period dignity within other secondary schools in Scotland.” 
 
The success of Code Red is evidenced by the frequency we replenish stock, highlighting that we have addressed a need in school and we will continue to support pupils and families to sign up to the free period product service, welcoming a wider range of sustainable products to ensure those options are accessible for all people experiencing periods.   
 
We recorded a Q&A on periods and contraception with Dr Victoria Kinkaid, who has an interest in female health, to ensure both pupils and staff are able to make more informed choices about their body. You can listen to the recordings here:
Periods: https://sway.office.com/gjHh5yeYPCu3Zqec?ref=Link&loc=play 
Contraception: https://sway.office.com/VPIM2bCcSMtmcqwd?ref=Link

​Also, you can check out our interview with Celia Pool, co-founder of DAME - a brand behind the world’s first reusable tampon applicator: https://sway.office.com/KvmivaEufGyXNvbH?ref=Link 
 
Twitter/Insta: @_DHSCodeRed

At Lady Business we are delighted to see the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill reach its final stage. This Bill has become such an important part of our group and each of our individual lives. As people who menstruate and activists, we recognise the importance of this Bill and being students, we see first-hand the impact that a lack of sanitary products can have. This need for access to sanitary products has motivated us in our fight. Since our creation a year ago we have introduced and maintained free and accessible sanitary products in every toilet in our school. Since the implementation of these products, we have seen a decrease in girls leaving and missing classes. Furthermore, we can guarantee that since our creation, the stigma of periods has significantly decreased. Within our school, we find more young women and girls feeling confident to talk about their periods, less feeling like they are dirty or taboo, and more males feeling educated on menstruation.
 
The small difference we have been able to make within our school and local area confirms to us that access to sanitary products needs to be rolled out on a national level. It is undeniable that every day people who menstruate are unable to attend work and school due to their period. Research done in 2018 by Women for Independence shows that 1 in 5 women had experienced period poverty. However, we would like to commend the barriers that have already been broken down by this Bill even being proposed. Starting a conversation about period poverty, especially one that is led by MSPs is not only necessary but imperative. As a country we need to demonstrate to those who menstruate that periods are not something to be ashamed of. Nevertheless, the obvious way for the Government to show that they are supportive of this conversation, is to pass this Bill.
 
Whatever the outcome of this final stage, Lady Business has been and will continue to be enormous supporters of this Bill. We have been honoured to be a part of this process, and whatever the outcome, our fight will not stop.