From pet food to sunscreen, proposals to cut value-added
tax (VAT) on a range of products and services are ever increasing. One of the best-known and far-reaching
campaigns of this type has been the fight to abolish VAT
on feminine hygiene products. More popularly known as
the ‘tampon tax’, this issue has united campaigners from
across to globe, contributing to policymakers in up to
25 countries removing or reducing taxes on menstrual
products since Kenya’s landmark decision in 2004.
Framed through a simple and evocative lens of fairness
and equality, the campaign to end the ‘tampon tax’ has
caught the attention of the public, press and policymakers
alike, catapulting the oft-taboo issue of menstrual health
to the top of the political agenda. Whilst social, economic,
and menstrual health contexts vary per adopting country,
the core message of the political announcements has
stayed the same: abolishing the ‘tampon tax’ will address
gender equality by resulting in more accessible and
affordable menstrual products for women and girls.
