Women and girls could soon get free tampons and pads from Southwark libraries and leisure centres thanks to a Liberal Democrat policy proposal.
At Council Assembly, on Wednesday, November 23, councillors agreed to explore the possibility of providing free period products in all of the council’s public toilets and buildings.
The Lib Dems had wanted to make free period products available immediately, but Labour adjusted the motion to give them time to assess how viable it would be.
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The original motion also said sanitary waste bins should be put in all council toilets – including men’s.
England rugby star Lewis Moody recently campaigned for sanitary bins to become compulsory in male bathrooms to help men with incontinence.
Cllr Rachel Bentley, the Southwark Liberal Democrat who proposed the motion said: “People of all ages should be able to participate fully in life with dignity. This motion is an important step towards that as it would stop people worrying about sanitary products or how to dispose of personal hygiene items safely or sensitively when outside of their homes.
“I’m delighted to see this Liberal Democrat motion be adopted and rest assured I will be working with my colleagues to ensure this becomes a reality across Southwark’s public toilets and buildings.”
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Children’s charity Plan International UK last year reported that nearly one in four girls in London had not been able to afford period products since 2021 – higher than the national rate.
In August, Scotland became the first country in the world to make period products free for all. Local authorities there have a legal duty to provide free items such as tampons and sanitary pads to “anyone who needs them”.