Why Taxes on Sanitary Pads Hurt Women: A Hidden Crisis We Need to Talk About
Introduction For many women, a sanitary pad is not a luxury it is a basic necessity, just like soap, clean water, or medicine. Yet in many countries, including developing regions, sanitary pads are taxed like luxury items. These taxes may look small on paper, but in real life they create a silent crisis that affects the dignity, health, and daily life of millions of girls and women. This blog explains what is happening, why it is happening, and how these taxes impact women’s lives. What Are Sanitary Pad Taxes ? Sanitary pad taxes refer to the sales tax, GST, or value-added tax (VAT) placed on menstrual hygiene products. In simple words, whenever a woman buys pads, she is paying an extra amount because of government tax policies. Instead of treating pads as essential health products, many systems classify them as “ non-essential items ,” which pushes their price higher. Why Are These Taxes Even Added ? There are three main reasons: 1. Old Policies That Never Changed M...