Access to free period products - statement on exercise of functions
East Lothian Council will ensure that people who need access to supplies of period products can do so.
We will endeavour to allow for choice, including provision of reusable and environmentally friendly products, protection of dignity and the promotion of equality for anyone who needs to access period products in East Lothian.
Following the piloting of various methods of providing free period products in schools and the community, and consultation with the general public, young people, parents and carers in late 2021/ early 2022 the Council has decided to follow a dual approach to ensuring people have access to free period products:
- providing supplies of free products across public buildings and schools to ensure people have access to products when a period starts unexpectedly or they don’t have a product with them
- providing access to supplies of products for home use, principally through the provision of shopping vouchers, thereby providing ease of access and maximum choice.
East Lothian Council will raise awareness across our communities of the availability of free period products in a way that respects dignity, through ongoing communications and promotion.