Axe the Tax...Or Just Make Sanity Products Free
Cloths, rags, tissues, toilet paper, diapers, and paper towels found in public bathrooms all have a commonality other than their ability to absorb liquid. A recent survey conducted in the United States found that nearly two-thirds of low-income women are unable to afford menstrual sanitary products. Some of these women also reported their inability to purchase both food and sanitary products during their menstrual cycles.
Some people, myself included, look at tampon dispensers in public bathrooms and are unconcerned with a tampon’s twenty five cent cost. With one quarter, women’s period crises can be averted. But what happens for people who don’t have a quarter to spare? What happens when women don’t have money to spend on menstrual products at all?
Women’s ability to alleviate menstrual issues and being able to participate in everyday life activities should not be luxuries. However, most nations still classify sanity products as luxury items, charging for pads and tampons often with an additional tax.
In a response to Fox News moderator Megyn Kelly, Donald Trump said “[she’s got] blood coming out of her whatever.” Feminine hygiene products are a two billion dollar industry in the United States. For those living in poverty who resort to makeshift sanitary products, a lack of comprehensive access to menstrual health products is more than a punch line. Trump, stop using menstrual cycles as an offense and start being receptive towards organizations’ tireless efforts for policy change.
The price of not having proper menstrual products is high, sometimes deadly. Poor menstrual hygiene has been linked to cervical cancer. In developing countries, fetal infections are common results of filthy cloths used to help with bleeding. In the United States, homeless women and those in prisons or detention centers face similar problems. Without proper menstrual products, they are at risk for developing severe infection. Furthermore, women in the government's possession have been known to trade their food stamps for menstrual products.
The United Nations officially declared that menstrual hygiene is a public-health, gender-equality, and human rights issue. Such a declaration has led a wave of progressive movements with Scotland at the forefront.
Scotland is on track to be the first nation to provide free pads and tampons to its citizens. The Scottish Parliament approved a plan in February to provide menstrual hygiene products in public places: community centers, pharmacies, youth clubs, and other public facilities. While this is the first plan to allow free products nationwide, Scotland has been providing pads and tampons in schools free of charge to its students since 2018. More broadly, the European Union has agreed to lift all taxes on menstrual products beginning in 2022.
As for the United States, there has been some movement toward supporting menstrual hygiene. Many states have crafted legislation to lift the tax on products, other states have been able to lower it, and some have lifted it completely (Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon). But conservatives continue to argue that without tax revenue from sanitary products, taxes would have to be raised on other items.
America is a money driven society which is prioritizing wealth over people’s health. Furthermore, within healthcare, men’s health is being valued above women’s. Tampons are taxed but Viagra isn’t. Let that sink in. Something needs to change.
What can we do?
There are many companies and organizations working to provide hygiene products to women. Additionally, these companies and organizations may also be working on legislation and policy work.
Conscious Period is a company providing subscription services which provide you and someone in need with sanitary products.
Cora is another subscription plan which donates part of its revenue to women in India who are in need of proper menstrual care.
Days for Girls is a nonprofit organization which works to provide products to girls in women in need while also provide people with an education. They address global issues such as gender inequality, clean water and sanitation, and quality education. You can get involved through volunteering and donations.
#TheHomelessPeriod is a campaign which began in the UK and works to ensure that homeless shelters are properly stocked with hygiene products. You can start a crowdfunding page or fundraising project in your area and use their hashtag to have them promote your campaign.
Support the Girls is a nonprofit organization which provides bras and menstrual products to homeless women across North America. You can donate bras and hygiene products to help support the organization's efforts.