Free sanitary products for students
Published: 10 September 2018
Free sanitary products will be available to students at the University of Glasgow from this week as a Scottish Government-led initiative is rolled our across schools, colleges and universities.
Free sanitary products will be available to students at the University of Glasgow from this week as a Scottish Government-led initiative is rolled our across schools, colleges and universities.
Funding worth £5.2m will support the scheme which was announced last month and is aimed at helping to “banish the scourge of period poverty” for all 395,000 pupils and students across Scotland.
Fatameh Nokhbatolfoghahai, Vice President Student Support, said: “The Students’ Representative Council welcome this initiative from the Scottish Government to fund the provision of sanitary products in all schools, colleges and universities. We believe that no person should ever have to miss out on their education at any stage because they can’t afford these essential products. Period poverty is a huge and often hidden issue in many parts of the world; everyone deserves to be afforded the dignity to access their education and it’s great that Scotland is leading the way on tackling this issue.”
The University’s Principal, Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, added his support to the initiative.
“I am delighted that we are working in partnership with the SRC to implement this important initiative. I hope that we see a good take-up across different sites and buildings. I and my colleagues in the University’s senior management team applaud any initiative which is effective in supporting students to maximise educational opportunities.”
A range of free sanitary products for student will be available in a number of accessible toilets on different sites and in a variety of buildings, including halls of residence.
Guided by the SRC, the University is making a variety of products available within baskets. It will also be examining ways of make environmentally sustainable sanitary products available as well as the initiative is implemented.
Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said at the launch of the initiative: “In a country as rich as Scotland, it’s unacceptable that anyone should struggle to buy basic sanitary products. I am proud that Scotland is taking this world-leading action to fight period poverty and I welcome the support of local authorities, colleges and universities in implementing this initiative.
“Our £5.2 million investment will mean these essential products will be available to those who need them in a sensitive and dignified way, which will make it easier for students to fully focus on their studies.”
First published: 10 September 2018