Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. I'd like to confirm that I have given a minute of my time to Sioned Williams today.

Every day, around the world, it is estimated that 300 million people bleed due to menstruation. It's a completely normal act—as normal as going to the bathroom—but for far too long, talking about periods has been taboo. Indeed, despite the fact that there has been more open discussion about periods over recent years, it remains something that many people are uncomfortable discussing, and, as such, something that many women and people who have periods feel ashamed of.

This is for a variety of reasons, such as a lack of education regarding periods; a lack of access to water infrastructure, sanitation and hygiene; and above all, a lack of access to appropriate period products. Being able to manage your periods safely, and with confidence and dignity, is crucial not only for health and education, but also for economic development and general equality. Unfortunately, however, even here in Wales in 2022, this is not a right that everyone has, and we have a problem in terms of period poverty.

At the outset, I would like to acknowledge the work undertaken by the Welsh Government in this regard, including the period dignity strategic action plan and the investment that has been made over recent years in ensuring that more products are available free of charge to those who need them in Wales. I fully support the vision and objectives of the plan, and I welcome the clear and unambiguous statements that the Government has made in this regard. I do not doubt in any way the commitment of the Government or the Minister, and I know that the work in the plan is progressing.

The purpose of this debate, therefore, is to ask the Minister and the Government to go one step further and to make this a commitment that is protected by law, by introducing a specific period products law, such as the one that came into force in Scotland in August this year. I will therefore focus on why I believe that there is a need for this, and I will draw attention to the fact that, despite the Government's commendable work in this area, period poverty remains a problem here in Wales today, and an issue that continues to require attention and action.