A COUNCIL is to offer free sanitary products in all its public buildings as part of a drive to tackle period poverty. Women will be able to access the products from vending machines in the toilets of up to 100 buildings in North Ayrshire, such as libraries, community centres and public offices.

The council said it is the first local authority in the UK to offer free sanitary provision in all of its public buildings. North Ayrshire introduced free sanitary products in its secondary schools last August, with more than 13,000 free towels and tampons accessed.

READ MORE: North Ayrshire council tackle period poverty with free sanitary product scheme

Council leader Joe Cullinane said: “Sanitary products are a necessity, not a choice. I wish for no woman or girl here in North Ayrshire to find themselves in the embarrassing and often degrading situation of having to use improper sanitary protection simply because they cannot afford proper products.

“It is absolutely right that we should look at ways in which to tackle this gendered inequality.”

Scottish Labour MSP Monica Lennon, who is bringing forward a Members’ Bill to create a statutory duty for free provision of sanitary products, welcomed the scheme.

She said: “Councillor Cullinane and North Ayrshire Council are leading the way on ending period poverty. Access to sanitary products should be a right, regardless of your income, which is why I am moving ahead with plans for legislation to introduce a universal system of free access to sanitary products for everyone in Scotland.

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“I hope other organisations will follow North Ayrshire’s lead. No-one should face the indignity of being unable to access these essential products to manage their period.”

The Scottish Government is rolling out a project to provide free sanitary products to women from low-income households across Scotland following a pilot scheme in Aberdeen. Free sanitary products will also be available to those at school, college or university from this month.