West Dunbartonshire Council is now providing free sanitary products in a range of public buildings.

The new initiative will allow women, girls and transgender people to access a supply of items in 21 locations, including libraries, foodbanks, community centres and council offices.

The aim of the scheme is to end period poverty by making sure everyone who needs these products can pick them up for free at an easily accessible pick up point.

Councillor Diane Docherty said: “We are delighted to launch this new initiative here today, as it is something we feel very strongly about.

“Sanitary products are not a choice, they are a necessity, and that is the case regardless of how much money you have in your pocket.

“This initiative will ensure that nobody in West Dunbartonshire is left in the embarrassing situation of having to use improper protection or none at all, simply because they cannot afford it.”

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Councillor Caroline McAllister added: “These free sanitary products will be available at buildings based all over West Dunbartonshire, meaning that no resident should have to go without.

“They will be available for collection in both female and male toilets with no questions asked - people can simply pop in and take what you need for yourself, your family member or even a friend.

“We want to end the stigma that comes along with this challenge, and end period poverty itself.

“The launch of the scheme will go some way towards achieving that goal.”

The scheme is being funded by West Dunbartonshire Council along with money received from the Scottish Government in March to help tackle all poverty, but with a particular focus on period poverty.

The council has made a three-year commitment and social enterprise Hey Girls have been contracted to provide the products.

Hey Girls gives a box of sanitary items away for each box sold and, in the last 12 months, they have donated more than 2.4 million products across the whole the UK.

To find out more about the initiative, and for a full list of where to get the free products visit west-dunbarton.gov.uk/endperiodpoverty.