FIFE Council have agreed to investigate what can be done to target “period poverty”, with a view to having sanitary products available for those in need, in all secondary schools.

This follows a motion put forward by the chairman of Cowdenbeath Area Committee to the authority.

Fife Council have agreed to investigate what can be done to target “period poverty” in Fife, with a view to having sanitary products available for those in need, in all secondary schools.

Scotland is set to be the first country to introduce free sanitary products in a move to end period poverty, beginning with a 6 month pilot in Aberdeen where at least 1000 women on low income should receive free sanitary products, with £42,500 of funding.

Fife councillors agreed last week to a motion put forward by Cllrs Linda Erskine, member for Lochgelly, Benarty and Cardenden, and Kate Stewart, west Fife villages, that recognised the issue of period poverty, where women and girls from deprived households are unable to afford the cost of tampons and towels, subsequently missing school or work.

The Executive Director of Education has been asked to look into piloting and rolling out the provision of basic sanitary products across secondary schools in Fife and to consider the further roll out of provision to other Education and community establishments.

Cllr Erskine spoke passionately about the impact of period poverty, saying: “This basic necessity addresses the health and wellbeing of women and girls.

"There are health risks, such as not being able to take part in PE and physical activity, down to illness such as Toxic Shock syndrome, all caused by not having proper sanitary protection.

“What makes this different to other issues is that this is such a personal thing. It is a very private struggle. In Fife, we want to offer a dignified, sensitive and practical solution that will provide this most basic of necessities to girls at school. Let’s give our girls back their dignity.”

A report released in March by Freedom4Girls, found that schoolteachers were sometimes buying pads and tampons for their students as they’d otherwise be forced to miss classes. The report also revealed that, for some families, it was a choice between buying food and buying sanitary products. There is a growing body of evidence that women and girls are missing work and school when they have their period, simply because they do not have proper sanitary protection.

Women can need sanitary products from the age of 10 to 55 and may spend an average of £13 per month on sanitary products, which are taxed as a luxury item instead of being seen as a basic human need.

Cllr Kate Stewart was outraged and said: “The implementation of Welfare Reform has taken a terrible toll on families. Families have less disposable income to spend on basic hygiene products. If there is a mother and two teenage daughters, at £13 each a month, that is a lot of money out the family budget.

Councillor Stewart was speaking in support of a campaign by local schoolgirl Cailyn Mc Mahon, a Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament, and 6th year pupil at Inverkeithing High School.

Cailyn has put together a presentation for schools, gained the support of other MSYP’s, councillors and teaching staff, and is willing to speak to headteachers, elected members and council officers to further the campaign.