Moray councillors approve plan for free period products across the area
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COUNCILLORS in Moray have approved a plan to offer free period products across the area.
At a meeting of the full council on Wednesday, August 10, councillors gave support to an action plan that will see people get the products they need, in the places they need them.
The Period Products Act 2021 requires local authorities to make period products freely available to anyone who menstruates.
The council currently supplies free period products to all council schools and, in partnership with Moray Food Plus, to around 100 other publicly-accessible premises including toilets, GP surgeries and community groups.
Councillor Theresa Coull (SNP, Keith and Cullen) said: "It's thanks to Scot Gov that Moray Council is able to be this for women in Moray.
"I'm proud Scotland is the first country in the world to address period poverty."
Cllr Coull's SNP colleague councillor Juli Harris (SNP, Speyside Glenlivet) added that the products will be available for anyone who menstruates.
"It's very important to recognise everyone that not everyone who menstruates identifies as female," Cllr Harris said.
"It's appreciated that Moray Council has taken this into consideration.
"Moray Council will ensure any individual who menstruates, including transgender men and non-binary individuals, can access products.
"It's very important to make that clear and well-advertised for young people."
The original campaign was brought to Holyrood by Labour MSP Monica Lennon. Sandy Keith (Labour, Elgin City North) was happy to back her campaign.
He added: "This is a matter of health so I'm glad to support this policy - initiated by Monica Lennon.
"I can't understand why the communities policy at Scottish Parliament voted against this proposal."
Monica Lennon, who's an MSP in central Scotland, said: “I introduced the Period Products Bill because universal access to free period products should be a basic right. Sadly not everyone can afford or obtain what they need.
"I welcome Moray Council’s unanimous adoption of a Statement of Intent, and I’m pleased that both officers and councillors have engaged constructively to ensure that the council’s policy on access to free period products is robust and effective.”
Moray will soon be included on the PickUpMyPeriod app and website so anyone who needs period products can easily find where they are available nearby.
Other actions include increasing the offering of reusable products, an investigation into a postal delivery service and making additional arrangements for those with barriers to accessing free products.
