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MP In Scottish House Of Commons Talks About Period

Kriti Dwivedi

29 Jun 2018 12:36 IST

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An MP talked about her period in the Scottish House of Commons and is gathering praises for the move. Danielle Rowley, representing Midlothian, apologised for being late to a House of Commons women and equalities debate. She said that she was on her period and it had already cost her £25 this week, reported The Guardian.

What she did

Rowley brought attention to the issue of period poverty in an ongoing debate on the increasing cost of sanitary pads.

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She broke the taboo around menstruation by openly conversing about it. Rowley demanded action on the cost of sanitary pads. Many fellow MPs congratulated her after she made parliamentary history.

“We know the average cost of a period in the UK over a year is £500. Many women can’t afford this. What is the minister doing to address period poverty?” - Rowley

The Scottish parliament is pressuring the UK government to offer free sanitary products to women with low incomes.

Decree of Period Poverty

According to a study by Plan International UK, one in ten girls in UK cannot afford to buy sanitary pads.

A survey in Scotland focusing on period poverty was released this year. It showed that due to their inability to buy pads, they resort to using old clothes, and even newspapers.

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The shadow women and equalities minister, Carolyn Harris, questioned the government, asking them as to why they are not taking the responsibility and instead depending on charities and individual groups to solve these issues.

The minister for women, Victoria Atkins, responded, saying that the government had invested £1.5m in the Brook charity project 'Let’s Talk Periods'.

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