Scottish Government welcomes the decision by Glasgow Airport in battle against period poverty
GLASGOW AIRPORT HAS unveiled a new trial to provide free sanitary products to all passengers using the airport.
Sanitary products such as tampons and pads will be made available within the airport’s main check-in area and both domestic and international arrivals.
Amanda McMillan, managing director of Glasgow Airport, said: “Millions of passengers travel through our doors on an annual basis and this trial will ensure that our female customers have access to these essential products.”
The airport is backing the campaign by Central Scotland MSP Monica Lennon, who recently launched a consultation on her private member’s bill to provide universal access to sanitary products.
“Millions of passengers travel through our doors on an annual basis and this trial will ensure that our female customers have access to these essential products.” Amanda McMillan
McMillan and her team at the Glasgow Airport met with the Lennon over the summer to discuss her proposed bill.
McMillan said that the bill is an “excellent initiative and one we are more than happy to support” that highlights the real “need to address what is a real issue for many women”.
Lennon is delighted that the airport has jumped on board with her campaign to end period poverty. Lennon said: “Providing free sanitary products at the airport sends out a strong message that periods are normal and I know this will be appreciated by passengers.
“Millions of people pass through the airport from every part of the globe and this is another significant step towards Scotland leading the world in the fight to end period poverty.
“Providing free sanitary products at the airport sends out a strong message that periods are normal and I know this will be appreciated by passengers.” Monica Lennon MSP
“Getting your period can happen unexpectedly and often at inopportune times – at work, at school, and when you’re travelling. No-one should have to go without access to vital sanitary products, so it’s great that Glasgow Airport are leading by example on this issue.”
The Scottish Government welcomed the decision by Glasgow Airport to provide free sanitary products for all of its passengers.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “It is unacceptable that anyone in Scotland should be unable to access sanitary products. Our pilot scheme in Aberdeen is a first step to helping us develop a sensitive and dignified solution to making these products easily accessible to those who need them.
“We will introduce a scheme to fund access to free sanitary products in schools, colleges and universities and consider action to support those on low incomes, but not in education, in light of the findings of this pilot.”
“Our pilot scheme in Aberdeen is a first step to helping us develop a sensitive and dignified solution to making these products easily accessible to those who need them.” Scottish Government
Currently, the Scottish Government is funding a £42,500 pilot in Aberdeen to provide free sanitary products to those girls and women who are on low incomes, through community-based organisations.
The six-month pilot will be run by Community Food Initiatives North East, which will also work with Aberdeen City Council and North East Scotland College to provide sanitary products to those school pupils and college student from low-income households.
The Scottish Government is hoping that at least 1,000 women and girls in the North East of Scotland will benefit from the pilot.
Picture courtesy of 小草
Look at how important CommonSpace has become, and how vital it is for the future #SupportAReporter