The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence has begun providing free sanitary products to female service members across its military bases, more than five years after concerns were first raised about access to these essential items. The move ensures that towels and tampons are now available in all women’s and unisex toilets on Ministry of Defence (MoD) estates, aligning the armed forces with other public-sector organizations.

This development follows increased scrutiny over the treatment of women in the military, particularly regarding basic health and hygiene needs during training exercises and operational deployments. A 2021 report by the Defence sub-committee highlighted the difficulties many female personnel faced in obtaining sanitary products while on duty, often having to resort to improvised measures such as using socks or pieces of paper.

Sarah Atherton, an army veteran and former defence minister who led the landmark Women in the Armed Forces inquiry, criticized the MoD for its slow response. Atherton described the rollout of free sanitary products as “finally” addressing a longstanding issue but emphasized that the delay exemplifies the broader sluggishness in adapting military policies to the needs of women. She noted that while the MoD’s recent actions bring it in line with other public services, challenges remain in fully supporting female personnel.

In addition to ongoing concerns about sanitary provisions, Atherton and other advocates have raised fresh allegations regarding the MoD’s failure to provide properly fitted body armour for women soldiers, underscoring persistent issues related to gender-specific equipment and support.

Women represent approximately 12% of the UK’s regular armed forces, with recruitment targets aiming to increase that figure to 30% by 2030. The MoD has stated that it is committed to enhancing the service experience for women and removing “unnecessary barriers” to ensure all personnel can perform to their full potential.

The introduction of free sanitary products is regarded as a step toward improving conditions for women in uniform, but ongoing scrutiny suggests that further reforms may be needed to address broader gender-related concerns within the British military.