CHELSEA Clinton reached out to Scotland last night after it was announced that New Zealand would be making sanitary products free to all school pupils.
Last year Scotland became the first country in the world to pass legislation making period products freely available to all.
MSPs unanimously approved the Bill from Labour’s health spokeswoman Monica Lennon, providing legal right of free access to items like tampons and sanitary pads.
READ MORE: New Zealand follows in Scotland's footsteps in battle against period poverty
Scotland’s Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell hailed the passing of the Bill as a “significant moment for gender equality”.
Now New Zealand is making period products free to school pupils, which prime minister Jacinda Ardern said would have a “positive impact on children’ wellbeing”.
Ardern said: "We want to see improved engagement, learning and behaviour, fewer young people missing school because of their period, and reduced financial hardship amongst families of participating students."
She added that research shows one in 12 young people had missed school due to this issue.
New Zealand’s minister of women, Jan Tinetti, explained the issues with periods at school included embarrassment, stigma, missing classes, being "caught out" without products, cost, lack of knowledge and discomfort.
On Twitter, Clinton – an author and global health advocate – praised the move.
“New Zealand ensuring sanitary products are free in schools in great news,” she wrote. “As ever, thank you to Scotland for your leadership in tackling period poverty.”
🏴 https://t.co/ZA5MwGKl7b
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) February 19, 2021
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon retweeted the post, adding a Saltire emoji.
A Young Scot survey previously found that about one in four students had struggled to access period products.
Other research revealed around 10% of UK girls had been unable to afford period products, 15% had struggled to afford them and 19% have changed to a less suitable product due to the cost.
READ MORE: How the world reacted to Scotland's historic period product legislation
When Holyrood voted for the legislation, Rose Caldwell, chief executive of the charity Plan International UK, said: “In making this world-first commitment, the Scottish government has shown itself to be a pioneer in tackling period poverty, and we hope that nations around the world will follow its lead.
“With this landmark legislation, Scotland could soon become the first country in the world to eliminate period poverty once and for all, and with household finances under strain from the coronavirus restrictions, the need has never been greater.
“This new law will help to ensure that no girl or woman in Scotland struggles to afford period products.”
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