<p>Scotland became the first country to legalise free access to menstrual products like tampons and pads in public facilities on Tuesday.&nbsp; Scottish parliament voted in favour of the “Period Products bill” on Tuesday, coming in months after legislators lent their support to the cause.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Now, menstrual products will be freely available across public buildings in Scotland including schools and universities.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The law states that local authorities have to ensure that the products are available free of cost. The campaign has received support from trade unions, women’s organisations, and even charities.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/entertainment/little-miss-period-tackles-japans-menstruation-taboos-with-a-punch-268780" hreflang="en">'Little Miss Period' tackles Japan's menstruation taboos with a punch</a></p>

<p>The bill was introduced last year by Monica Lennon. "Scotland will not be the last country to make period poverty history”, Lennon had said before the vote.</p>

<p>Once the lawmakers voted in favour of the idea, Lennon claimed that it signalled a new pattern in the world whereby universal access to menstrual products will be possible.</p>

<p>According to the financial memorandum attached to the bill, it could cost £8.7 million a year by 2022. But this cost is contingent on the number of women who choose to avail the free services.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="http://13.235.153.162/south-asia/myths-and-menstruation-overcoming-pakistans-period-taboo-249790" hreflang="en">Myths and menstruation: Overcoming Pakistan's period taboo</a></p>

<p>Nearly 20 per cent Scottish women in poverty, and this move could help them.</p>

<p>"Proud to vote for this groundbreaking legislation, making Scotland the first country in the world to provide free period products for all who need them. An important policy for women and girls," Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted after the vote.</p>

<p>According to a 2017 survey undertaken by Plan International UK, one in 10 girls in the UK have been unable to afford period products.</p>


Scotland became the first country to legalise free access to menstrual products like tampons and pads in public facilities on Tuesday. Scottish parliament voted in favour of the “Period Products bill” on Tuesday, coming in months after legislators lent their support to the cause.

Scotland became the first country to legalise free access to menstrual products like tampons and pads in public facilities on Tuesday. Scottish parliament voted in favour of the “Period Products bill” on Tuesday, coming in months after legislators lent their support to the cause. Now, menstrual products will be freely available across public buildings in Scotland including schools and universities. The law states that local authorities have to ensure that the products are available free of cost. The campaign has received support from trade unions, women’s organisations, and even charities. Also read: 'Little Miss Period' tackles Japan's menstruation taboos with a punch The bill was introduced last year by Monica Lennon. "Scotland will not be the last country to make period poverty history”, Lennon had said before the vote. Once the lawmakers voted in favour of the idea, Lennon claimed that it signalled a new pattern in the world whereby universal access to menstrual products will be possible. According to the financial memorandum attached to the bill, it could cost £8.7 million a year by 2022. But this cost is contingent on the number of women who choose to avail the free services. Also read: Myths and menstruation: Overcoming Pakistan's period taboo Nearly 20 per cent Scottish women in poverty, and this move could help them. "Proud to vote for this groundbreaking legislation, making Scotland the first country in the world to provide free period products for all who need them. An important policy for women and girls," Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted after the vote. According to a 2017 survey undertaken by Plan International UK, one in 10 girls in the UK have been unable to afford period products.

Scotland becomes world's first country to make menstrual products free

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/always-wanted-to-work-in-films-based-on-social-issues-akshay-kumar-32021" target="_blank">Akshay Kumar</a> starrer&nbsp;&quot;PadMan&quot;&nbsp;released countrywide in India on February 9 amid rave reviews from all corners.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While the film has managed to pull the audience to the theatres, it has been banned in the neighbouring country, Pakistan.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padman-review-akshay-kumars-film-is-warm-relevant-and-serves-its-purpose-32277" target="_blank"><em>Also Read:&nbsp;PadMan review: Akshay Kumar&#39;s film is warm, relevant and serves its purpose</em></a></p>

<p>Ever since the ban, women of Pakistan have taken to Twitter to condemn it and ask for a release of the film as it deals with a socially relevant issue and has nothing controversial in it.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Many women have been questioning the intent of the ban with support from some men too.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This is what Twitter users are writing:&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Dear Sir, the film <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padman?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padman</a> has been released internationally. Your decision-making is embarrassingly slow. Why should a film about menstrual hygein &amp; cheap sanitary napkins denied a release or delayed? Pakistan deserves to become a part of this conversation on reproductive health <a href="https://t.co/tTzZTDvIg7">https://t.co/tTzZTDvIg7</a></p>
&mdash; Ammara Ahmad (@ammarawrites) <a href="https://twitter.com/ammarawrites/status/962806993638608896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Yes, Pakistani Women menstruate too. I support <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padman?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padman</a> and menstrual hygiene. Ban on <a href="https://twitter.com/PadManTheFilm?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PadManTheFilm</a> in Pakistan is senseless. Release it now. <a href="https://t.co/KpsTL6Rc3a">pic.twitter.com/KpsTL6Rc3a</a></p>
&mdash; Ammara Ahmad (@ammarawrites) <a href="https://twitter.com/ammarawrites/status/962294732918489088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Banning PadMan in Pakistan is another one of those illogical things that simply affect the business of cinemas in Pakistan.<br />
Menstruation is a fact of life, and bringing it to mainstream consciousness is neither immoral nor un-Islamic.</p>
&mdash; Mehr Tarar (@MehrTarar) <a href="https://twitter.com/MehrTarar/status/962353264074338304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">&quot;Against our traditions &amp; culture&quot; Oh well, coz women don&#39;t menstruate here... What stupid people sitting at Censor Board ! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PadMan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PadMan</a> must be allowed in Pakistan ! <a href="https://t.co/S7PUfBV9ak">https://t.co/S7PUfBV9ak</a></p>
&mdash; Gharidah Farooqi (@GFarooqi) <a href="https://twitter.com/GFarooqi/status/962412837321805824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Dear Censor Board of Pakistan<br />
Yes! We <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pakistani?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pakistani</a> women get our periods too! Every month we bleed, it&#39;s simple biology.<br />
<br />
I condemn the ban on <a href="https://twitter.com/PadManTheFilm?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PadManTheFilm</a> in Pakistan!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IAmPadman?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IAmPadman</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padman?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padman</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UnBan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UnBan</a> <a href="https://t.co/mnrNLJkROC">pic.twitter.com/mnrNLJkROC</a></p>
&mdash; The Lodhi (@AnnamL0dhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnnamL0dhi/status/962231453839962114?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Banning padman in Pakistan just shows how we havent mentally progressed as a nation. Utterly disappointing.</p>
&mdash; Amna Mazhar (@ozilinaa) <a href="https://twitter.com/ozilinaa/status/962365366440792064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Those banning should know this &ldquo;taboo&rdquo; topic is the reason they are alive. No menstration means no fertility. No fertility 4 means no babies. Banners were babies 2 na. Nature se bhi panga. Leh. Apas ki baat. ???? Misogyny much? &lsquo;PadMan&rsquo; banned in Pakistan <a href="https://t.co/ANkxyt194i">https://t.co/ANkxyt194i</a></p>
&mdash; Nadia Jamil (@NJLahori) <a href="https://twitter.com/NJLahori/status/962476125187436544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Some men also showed support:&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Movies like jism 2 can be shown in Pakistan cinemas but Padman is banned. What a shame it is. Its fine to show half naked women and highly intimidated scenes in movies but a movie based on real issues and everyone loses their minds.<br />
HEIGHT OF HYPOCRISY!</p>
&mdash; T. (@Crushkacrush) <a href="https://twitter.com/Crushkacrush/status/962705139923668992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">1 out of 3 women r died because of cultural taboo. Remaining are victim of nutrition and various virus and cancers.most popular is breast and ovarian cancer but still in pakistan, movie like padman is banned.women in centre r aware what abt 60%in rural areas? <a href="https://twitter.com/saifsamejo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@saifsamejo</a></p>
&mdash; Ali aamir siming (@AamirSiming) <a href="https://twitter.com/AamirSiming/status/962315106536259584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>As of right now, the film has not been previewed by the&nbsp;Central Board of Film Censors of Pakistan.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The decision to issue an NOC by the Ministry of Information Broadcasting National History and Literary Heritage is yet to be taken on the release of a foreign feature film &quot;Padman&quot; as the film has not yet been pre-viewed by the Central Board of Film Censors. <a href="https://t.co/NExGsWGV8M">pic.twitter.com/NExGsWGV8M</a></p>
&mdash; Govt of Pakistan (@pid_gov) <a href="https://twitter.com/pid_gov/status/962591498213699585?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Speaking on the issue, the director of &quot;PadMan&quot;, R Balki said,&nbsp; &quot;It is shame that a film that endeavours to eradicate the stigma towards menstrual hygiene is being seen in this negative light.&quot;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The women took to Twitter to question the reason behind banning PadMan film in Pakistan

Akshay Kumar starrer "PadMan" released countrywide in India on February 9 amid rave reviews from all corners. While the film has managed to pull the audience to the theatres, it has been banned in the neighbouring country, Pakistan. Also Read: PadMan review: Akshay Kumar's film is warm, relevant and serves its purpose Ever since the ban, women of Pakistan have taken to Twitter to condemn it and ask for a release of the film as it deals with a socially relevant issue and has nothing controversial in it. Many women have been questioning the intent of the ban with support from some men too. This is what Twitter users are writing: Dear Sir, the film #Padman has been released internationally. Your decision-making is embarrassingly slow. Why should a film about menstrual hygein & cheap sanitary napkins denied a release or delayed? Pakistan deserves to become a part of this conversation on reproductive health https://t.co/tTzZTDvIg7 — Ammara Ahmad (@ammarawrites) February 11, 2018 × Yes, Pakistani Women menstruate too. I support #Padman and menstrual hygiene. Ban on @PadManTheFilm in Pakistan is senseless. Release it now. pic.twitter.com/KpsTL6Rc3a — Ammara Ahmad (@ammarawrites) February 10, 2018 × Banning PadMan in Pakistan is another one of those illogical things that simply affect the business of cinemas in Pakistan. Menstruation is a fact of life, and bringing it to mainstream consciousness is neither immoral nor un-Islamic. — Mehr Tarar (@MehrTarar) February 10, 2018 × "Against our traditions & culture" Oh well, coz women don't menstruate here... What stupid people sitting at Censor Board ! #PadMan must be allowed in Pakistan ! https://t.co/S7PUfBV9ak — Gharidah Farooqi (@GFarooqi) February 10, 2018 × Dear Censor Board of Pakistan Yes! We #Pakistani women get our periods too! Every month we bleed, it's simple biology. I condemn the ban on @PadManTheFilm in Pakistan!#IAmPadman #Padman #UnBan pic.twitter.com/mnrNLJkROC — The Lodhi (@AnnamL0dhi) February 10, 2018 × Banning padman in Pakistan just shows how we havent mentally progressed as a nation. Utterly disappointing. — Amna Mazhar (@ozilinaa) February 10, 2018 × Those banning should know this “taboo” topic is the reason they are alive. No menstration means no fertility. No fertility 4 means no babies. Banners were babies 2 na. Nature se bhi panga. Leh. Apas ki baat. ???? Misogyny much? ‘PadMan’ banned in Pakistan https://t.co/ANkxyt194i — Nadia Jamil (@NJLahori) February 10, 2018 × Some men also showed support: Movies like jism 2 can be shown in Pakistan cinemas but Padman is banned. What a shame it is. Its fine to show half naked women and highly intimidated scenes in movies but a movie based on real issues and everyone loses their minds. HEIGHT OF HYPOCRISY! — T. (@Crushkacrush) February 11, 2018 × 1 out of 3 women r died because of cultural taboo. Remaining are victim of nutrition and various virus and cancers.most popular is breast and ovarian cancer but still in pakistan, movie like padman is banned.women in centre r aware what abt 60%in rural areas? @saifsamejo — Ali aamir siming (@AamirSiming) February 10, 2018 × As of right now, the film has not been previewed by the Central Board of Film Censors of Pakistan. The decision to issue an NOC by the Ministry of Information Broadcasting National History and Literary Heritage is yet to be taken on the release of a foreign feature film "Padman" as the film has not yet been pre-viewed by the Central Board of Film Censors. pic.twitter.com/NExGsWGV8M — Govt of Pakistan (@pid_gov) February 11, 2018 × Speaking on the issue, the director of "PadMan", R Balki said, "It is shame that a film that endeavours to eradicate the stigma towards menstrual hygiene is being seen in this negative light."

Pakistani women demand 'PadMan' release, say 'We bleed too'

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