Target Met For Access to Free Sanitary Products in Schools

At this week’s meeting, Members of the Education, Sport and Children’s Services Committee will be informed that the Comhairle met the Scottish Government’s target to provide free sanitary products for school pupils by 18 August 2018.

The Scottish Government made a commitment in the 2017 Programme for Government to provide “access to free sanitary products to students in schools, colleges and universities”. The purpose of this commitment is to support equality, dignity and rights and to ensure that lack of access to products does not impact on an individual’s ability to fully participate in education, at all levels.

Cllr Angus McCormack, Chairman of the Committee, said: “In the Western Isles, sanitary products are available in the relevant girls’ toilets at both secondary and primary schools. Pupils are free to take as many as they need and are being encouraged to do so.

“The Comhairle met the initial target to have the products available in all schools by mid-August and a twin track approach is planned with local models of delivery put in place to develop the longer term national models.”