In Scotland, high school girls’ commitment against menstrual insecurity

“Around the world, there are women who need free access to feminine hygiene products. This is truly a necessity.”, All-Rose Farttingham, 17 years old, from Larbert High School in Stenhusimir, Middle Scotland. The teenager formed the group “Lady Business” with her classmates Meredith Rai, Tillie O’Donnell and Abby Reid, after writing an article on menstrual insecurity for the school newspaper. The four girls have made it their mission to raise awareness, speak in schools and even organize a rally outside the Scottish Parliament.

“Revolutionary”

On Tuesday 23 November 2020, the Scottish Parliament unanimously adopted a law called for “Revolutionary” Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon for providing tampons and sanitary napkins free of charge in all public buildings. MP Monica Lennon, who introduced the bill, praised the role “First investigator” From Scotland, also praised the action of “Lady Business” in her speech to Parliament. He called on schools to dedicate education to the issue, in addition to tampons and sanitary napkins, to eliminate the stigma surrounding them.

“We were all happy to bring such a big change to the world”, Welcomes Elle-Rose Frasingham. She and her classmates filled toilet dispensers at their school with hygiene products. And the barbarous act came to a halt when the girls’ message raided. Meredith, 16, says she felt relieved when the bill passed: “We worked hard to do this”.

Legislation passed in Scotland goes beyond existing initiatives in schools in England and Wales or reducing VAT on these products in France and the United States. In Scotland, schools, colleges and universities must provide a range of periodic defenses to their toilets for free. The Scottish Government may force public bodies to provide these products for free.

“First investigator”

More than half of teenage girls (52%) left school due to their duration, according to a May 2019 survey of 1,000 teenage girls in the UK. Activists believe that menstrual insecurity has a direct impact on the education of girls, inequalities increase. The girls of “Lady Business” had to fight to overcome the stigma of surrounding time.

“It was disappointing (…) because clearly, this is not something that should be so taboo”, testifies Meredith. “We’ve worked since our inception, we’ve interfered in classrooms and we’ve really seen a change in attitude, especially among young boys and maybe older teachers.”. Elle-Rose and Meredith are now preparing to study at university.

He hopes the teens will talk about the rules in schools without embarrassment or shame. 13-year-old Lucy Clarke, who recently joined “Lady Business”, says she is ready to fight to lift this taboo. “Maybe younger people will say ‘yes, it’s disgusting’. But I think it’s natural.”, She says. “Girls can’t help it. They need hygiene products to stay healthy and happy.”