EDUCATION bosses in Glasgow have been asked to supply free sanitary products in city schools.

Labour councillor Soryia Siddique, who represents Southside Central, made the plea in an email to city council education director Maureen McKenna.

She said period poverty can be a private struggle for many people and suggested providing a range of sanitary products could relieve the situation for many.

In July, the Scottish government announced it was launching a six-month pilot scheme in Aberdeen to provide free sanitary items for women and girls in low-income households.

And earlier this month North Lanarkshire council agreed a trial which result in sanitary products being distributed in all secondary schools.

Ms Siddique said: "I have written the director of education requesting consideration that free dispensing machines be installed in Glasgow schools and stocked with a range of sanitary products.

"Access to sanitary products should be a basic right. It is important a dignified and practical solution is provided because it is unacceptable anyone should be unable to access what is an essential item. It is time for Glasgow City Council to take action."

City council leader Susan Aitken steps were being taken to ensure period poverty in schools will be ended as soon as possible.

She added: “Having to miss school, college or university because you can’t afford sanitary products is against a women’s human right to access education.

“The announcement from the Scottish Government will put a stop to this and means any girl in our schools – regardless of their personal circumstances – will never have to be suffer the stigma of this again.

“We will now work with partners to ensure that we can implement in our schools as quickly as possible.”

Last week Glasgow Airport revealed they are to provide free sanitary products for female passengers.

The airport said that as part of the trial free tampons and pads would be available in toilets in the main check-in hall as well as domestic and international arrivals.

The move was in response to a campaign by Central Scotland Labour MSP Monica Lennon to end period poverty in Scotland.