The Scottish government have launched an app which allows users to find nearby locations across the country where they can access sanitary products for free.
The PickupMyPeriod app has over 700 locations marked across Scotland, a number which they expect to grow as the app becomes more widely known.
The new application makes Scotland the first country in the world to offer women free period products.
Initially, products were available free to schools, colleges and universities and then expanding out to the wider community making them available to all that need them.
The app was launched on a small scale by Social Justice Secretary, Shona Robison. Pupils from St Paul’s High School in Glasgow were the first to test the app.
Shona Robison said: “The app is a fantastic tool that will help everyone who wants to access free period products for themselves, a family member or friend to easily find them in many places across Scotland.
“I’m thankful for the support of local authorities in the implementation of access to free period products in Scotland. Young women and girls have been crucial in developing the best ways to access products to meet their needs and I’m grateful to them for sharing their views.”
The Period Products (Free Provision) Scotland Act 2021 will come into force from January 2023 and will mean that local authorities and educational providers must make sanitary products readily available free of charge to anyone who needs them.
