MCKAY 2022 Scotland and period poverty (AAM)

Scotland and Period Poverty: A Case Study of Media and Political Agenda-Setting

Overview

  • Focus on grassroots-led social movements impacting media and political agendas, particularly the period poverty movement in Scotland.

  • Key outcome: Scotland recognized as a leader in policies providing free access to menstrual products.

Emergence of the Movement

  • 2016: Period poverty movement gains traction; term first surfaces in media (notably Twitter).

  • Increased visibility of menstrual issues stimulated activism and engagement from the political sphere.

Influence of Social Movements

  • Amplification of social justice movements like #MeToo and Black Lives Matter highlights the importance of media visibility for grassroots movements.

  • Digital media (social platforms) allows activists to influence political agendas across various public spheres.

Political Context in Scotland

  • Devolved political structure: Scotland possesses powers over certain matters like healthcare, while reserved powers remain with UK Parliament.

  • The socio-political climate in Scotland: Seen as more left-wing, with significant support for social justice campaigns post-2014 Scottish independence referendum.

  • Growing representation of feminist and social justice movements amid political change.

Gender Representation

  • Key political events during the early 2000s encouraged activism focused on gender advocacy.

  • Period poverty reflects broader societal issues tied to gender, poverty, and access to essential products.

Activism and Media Coverage

  • Importance of securing media coverage for social movements to gain visibility and influence.

  • The hybrid media environment complicates traditional models of agenda-setting; both legacy and new media play critical roles.

The Term "Period Poverty"

  • Emerged in 2015; linked to social activism around menstruation.

  • Analogous to terms like "fuel poverty" and "food poverty"—helps to conceptualize structural inequalities affecting menstruators.

  • Discussions around period poverty have unveiled issues of menstrual equity and dignity, encompassing broader contexts of poverty and discrimination.

Campaign Developments in Scotland

  • 2018 Announcement: Scottish Government pledges £5.2 million for free sanitary products across educational institutions.

  • Legislative Milestone: The Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill passed in November 2020, making Scotland the first country to guarantee universal access to menstrual products.

  • Ongoing campaigns and initiatives reinforce the importance of free access and aim to dismantle stigma surrounding menstruation.

Impact of Networking and Hashtags

  • Use of social media and hashtags enables activists to broaden their reach, connect with supporters, and create impactful narratives around period poverty.

  • Campaigns like #FreePeriods and #EndingPeriodPoverty illustrate the power of online movements in mobilizing support and influencing legislation.

Challenges Ahead

  • Despite significant achievements, the movement must address ongoing issues related to accessibility and stigma in the context of menstruation and poverty.

  • Continued advocacy is vital to sustaining the momentum built by the grassroots period poverty movement and ensuring comprehensive policy implementation.

Conclusion

  • Scotland's experience with the period poverty movement exemplifies the interplay between media, activism, and political responsiveness.

  • Understanding the local context remains crucial as various regions may experience unique challenges and successes in similar campaigns.

Scotland and Period Poverty: A Case Study of Media and Political Agenda-Setting

Overview

  • Focus on grassroots-led social movements impacting media and political agendas, particularly the period poverty movement in Scotland.

  • Key outcome: Scotland recognized as a leader in policies providing free access to menstrual products, making strides in tackling societal taboos.

Emergence of the Movement

  • 2016: The period poverty movement gains traction; the term "period poverty" first surfaces in media, notably through social media platforms like Twitter, sparking conversations and raising awareness.

  • Increased visibility of menstrual issues stimulate grassroots activism, leading to significant engagement from the political sphere and public figures.

Influence of Social Movements

  • Amplification of social justice movements such as #MeToo and Black Lives Matter emphasizes the necessity for media visibility for grassroots movements.

  • Digital media (especially social platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter) enables activists to influence political agendas, mobilize supporters, and address societal issues across various public spheres effectively.

Political Context in Scotland

  • Devolved Political Structure: Scotland possesses legislative powers over certain matters, including healthcare and education, while reserved powers remain under the jurisdiction of the UK Parliament, allowing for tailored responses to local issues like period poverty.

  • The socio-political climate in Scotland is characterized as more left-wing, with significant public support for social justice campaigns, particularly following the 2014 Scottish independence referendum.

  • Growing representation of feminist and social justice movements amid political transformation boosts advocacy for policies addressing period poverty and related issues.

Gender Representation

  • Key political events during the early 2000s, including devolution and increased female representation in politics, sparked activism focused on gender advocacy and equality.

  • The issue of period poverty reflects broader societal inequalities associated with gender, socioeconomic status, and access to essential products, necessitating a holistic approach to policy solutions.

Activism and Media Coverage

  • The importance of securing media coverage for social movements cannot be overstated—the visibility gained can significantly influence public opinion and political response.

  • The hybrid media environment complicates traditional models of agenda-setting as both legacy media and new media channels play critical roles in shaping narratives around period poverty.

The Term "Period Poverty"

  • Emerging in 2015, the term "period poverty" is closely linked to social activism surrounding menstruation, signifying the lack of access to menstrual products and education.

  • Analogous to terms like "fuel poverty" and "food poverty," it helps to frame structural inequalities affecting menstruators and facilitates policy discussions.

  • Discussions around period poverty have unveiled critical issues surrounding menstrual equity and dignity, encompassing broader contexts of poverty, stigma, and discrimination.

Campaign Developments in Scotland

  • 2018 Announcement: The Scottish Government pledges £5.2 million to ensure free sanitary products across schools, colleges, and universities, representing a significant commitment to tackling period poverty.

  • Legislative Milestone: The Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill was passed in November 2020, making Scotland the first country in the world to guarantee universal access to menstrual products.

  • Ongoing campaigns and initiatives reinforce the importance of free access while aiming to dismantle the stigma surrounding menstruation, promoting awareness and education on menstrual health.

Impact of Networking and Hashtags

  • The use of social media and trending hashtags enables activists to broaden their reach, connect with a diverse range of supporters, and create compelling narratives surrounding period poverty.

  • Campaigns such as #FreePeriods and #EndingPeriodPoverty illustrate the immense power of online movements in mobilizing public support, raising awareness, and influencing legislative changes.

Challenges Ahead

  • Despite significant achievements, the movement faces ongoing challenges related to the accessibility of menstrual products for all demographics and combating societal stigma in the context of menstruation and poverty.

  • Continued advocacy remains vital to sustain the momentum generated by grassroots organizations and to ensure comprehensive policy implementation reaches all segments of the community.

Conclusion

  • Scotland's experience with the period poverty movement exemplifies the interplay between media, activism, and political responsiveness, resulting in innovative policy changes that prioritize health equity.

  • Understanding the local context is crucial, as various regions may experience unique challenges and successes in similar campaigns addressing period poverty and related societal issues.