Scotland has become the first country in the world to make period products free for all.
There is now a legal duty on local authorities to provide free items such as tampons and sanitary pads to “anyone who needs them”.
Products will be distributed through councils and education providers as the Period Products Act comes into force.
MSPs unanimously approved the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill in November 2020.
The bill was introduced by Labour MSP Monica Lennon, who has been campaigning to end period poverty since 2016.
She said: “Local authorities and partner organisations have worked hard to make the legal right to access free period products a reality.
“This is another big milestone for period dignity campaigners and grassroots movements which shows the difference that progressive and bold political choices can make.
“As the cost-of-living crisis takes hold, the Period Products Act is a beacon of hope which shows what can be achieved when politicians come together for the good of the people we serve.”
Period poverty is when those on low incomes can’t afford, or access, suitable period products.
With average periods lasting about five days, it can cost up to £8 a month for tampons and pads, and some women struggle to afford the cost.
Georgie Nicholson, of social enterprise Hey Girls, told BBC Radio’s Good Morning Scotland, period products should be as accessible as toilet roll in public bathrooms.
Ms Nicolson said: “There’s a very simple way to describe period poverty: you go to the supermarket and you have to actually choose whether you can buy a bag of pasta or a box of tampons. It’s that basic.
“We hear of a lot of mothers going without their period protection just so they can feed their children and using things such as newspaper stuffed into socks or bread… because they’re cheaper than period products.” (BBC)
