Scotland Is the First Country to Make Access to Tampons and Pads Free and Universal

Scotland made history yesterday when it became the first country to offer its citizens free and universal access to menstrual products, including tampons and pads. That's right—totally free period supplies for all who need them. 

The Scottish parliament voted unanimously on November 24 to pass the Period Products Bill, according to CNN. The new law means the products will be available in public buildings, which includes schools and universities, and authorities must make sure they're offered for free. 

“Proud to vote for this groundbreaking legislation, making Scotland the first country in the world to provide free period products for all who need them,” Scotland's first minister tweeted after the vote. “An important policy for women and girls. Well done to @MonicaLennon7 @ClydesdAileen and all who worked to make it happen.” 

“The campaign has been backed by a wide coalition, including trades unions, women's organizations, and charities,” Monica Lennon, who introduced the bill and was mentioned in Sturgeon's tweet, told CNN before the vote. “Scotland will not be the last country to make period poverty history.” Afterward, she added that it was “a signal to the world that free universal access to period products can be achieved.”

Period equity is an issue across the world and certainly here in America—Glamour explored it in depth earlier this year. While periods are a natural fact of life, products like tampons and pads are not classified as “necessities,” which means they are not covered by health insurance or Medicaid and cannot be purchased with food stamps. Meanwhile, nearly one in five American teenagers in poverty cannot afford the supplies and support they need, which has ramifications on their time in the classroom and compromised health. 

But thankfully, Scotland has now set an example that the rest of the world will hopefully follow. 

Originally Appeared on Glamour