A project to provide free sanitary products to women from low income households will be rolled out for the whole of Scotland.

The Scottish Government is to provide charity FareShare with more than £500,000 to extend it to reach an estimated 18,800 more people.

The scheme, aimed at tackling period poverty, was successfully piloted in Aberdeen between September 2017 and February 2018.

FareShare will use its centres in Aberdeen, Dundee, Glasgow and Edinburgh to begin distributing products more widely over the summer.

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An evaluation of the Aberdeen pilot showed that two thirds of the 1082 women and girls who took part had experienced difficulties in accessing sanitary products in the past.

Equalities secretary Angela Constance said: “It is unacceptable that anyone in Scotland should be unable to access sanitary products and I am pleased that we are able to work with FareShare to make products available more widely through the services delivered by their partners.”

Head of FareShare in Scotland Gillian Kynoch said: “FareShare works with over 1000 community organisations and charities across Scotland.

“We are excited to be working with the Scottish Government to use this network to make sanitary products available to people across Scotland.”

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Labour MSP Monica Lennon welcomed the extension of the scheme, but called for a statutory requirement to ensure free provision in schools, colleges and universities.

She said: “This is a welcome step to support people in crisis. Food banks rely on the generosity of the public and this support from the Scottish Government will help increase access to sanitary products.

“But women shouldn’t have to turn to charity for sanitary products. It is time for a universal system and my consultation shows 90% of people agree.

“That’s why I am seeking to change the law to ensure free provision in schools, colleges and universities as well as placing a duty on the Scottish Government to deliver a free universal system of access.

“Scotland can be a world leader in tackling period poverty if we are bold enough to take these radical steps.”

SNP MSP Gillian Martin: “This is a watershed moment in the fight against period poverty.

“As a member of Women for Independence and as an MSP, I have been a longstanding campaigner to end period poverty and I am delighted that the Scottish Government is supporting this cause with over half a million pounds support for women and girls across the country who struggle to afford sanitary products, which should be a basic right.

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“No woman or girl should be unable to access sanitary products or have to choose between using rags or tissue or being able to put food on the table.

“Scotland is leading the way on tackling period poverty – in August, the Scottish Government will be the first national government to provide sanitary products free of charge across all schools, colleges and universities.

“It is up to the UK government to follow our lead.”