Offering free and accessible period products can help people who menstruate save upwards of $5,000 in their lifetimes , reduces stress on women's shelters, and reduces waste — especially if the products provided are eco-friendly!
Why feminine products should be free in schools?
Access to free supplies would help to alleviate some of the economic strain having a period provides. Lack of access to menstrual supplies can have an impact on education. Without access to supplies, students often miss class or do not participate as vigorously for fear of leakage and embarrassment.
Why are condoms free and not pads?
Condoms were also introduced to protect women and girls from catching STDs and HIV/AIDS. ... In fact, free condoms and free pads are complementary for the safety and education of girls and women . Therefore, condoms should remain free, and sanitary pads should also be free.
Why are feminine hygiene products so expensive?
Even though tampons and other period products are an essential need for women, consumers still have to pay a sales tax on them in 35 states. The average sales tax in the US is 5%, so a $7 box of tampons will cost about 35 cents in taxes. ... They may also have less free time to scour around for the best prices.
What would happen if period products were free?
According to the survey from Thinx and PERIOD, a lack of access to period products contributes to increased stigma around menstruation , lower rates of classroom productivity, and increased stress for students who already have so much on their plates.
Are feminine products taxed?
Yes . The A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) (GST–free Health Goods) Determination 2018 provides that the following products are GST-free when supplied on or after 1 January 2019: maternity pads. menstrual cups.
Why are feminine products taxed?
Currently, tampons and sanitary pads are sold with a 10% goods and services tax (GST) because they are categorised as non-essential items. Women have argued it is an unfair classification , noting items such as condoms and sunscreen are exempt. ... In 2015, a petition against the tax was signed by more than 90,000 people.
Why are condoms given for free?
Free condoms at public sex venues could reduce the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections . Condom distribution is an affordable and easily implemented intervention that could reduce the burden of disease in men who have sex with men substantially.
Are pads given for free?
After the scheme was started in 2019, the Delhi government decided to increase the number of pads to 10 from six and also give the pads for free. The contract, which was signed in 2019 with a private company, expired in March 2020.
How can I get free condoms?
Affordable or free condoms are often available at Planned Parenthood health centers , family planning clinics, your local health department, community centers, college health centers, or your doctor's office.
Are feminine products considered a luxury?
What Is the Tampon Tax? Tampon tax is a term used for the tax imposed on menstrual hygiene products by a government. These products are not subject to a unique or special tax but are classified as luxury items along with other goods that are not exempted.
How much of a woman's life is spent on her period?
You will spend nearly 10 years of your life on your period
Added up, this equates to around 10 years — or about 3,500 days — of the average woman's life that will be spent menstruating.
How many tampons does a woman use per month?
Facts and figures about feminine hygiene products
The Huffington Post calculates that the 70 percent of women who use tampons go through about twenty per menstrual cycle . Women have an average of 456 periods in their life, which translates to 9,120 tampons used.
How do female soldiers deal with periods?
Bases have stores with menstrual products available .
Many troops live on them—sometimes with their families! —so there are restaurants, post offices, and stores known as “exchanges” that sell hygiene products (among other things), including tampons and sanitary pads.
Are period products taxed?
Period products are subject to a state sales tax in 30 of the 50 US states despite efforts to ban the tax country-wide. Across the European Union, most countries are not allowed to create zero-rated value-added taxes on period products and have a 5% minimum tampon tax.
Why do pads cost money?
And the majority of U.S. states tax tampons and pads at the register through sales taxes —the so-called tampon tax. ... State and local taxes can add more than nine percent to the cost of products. These costs add up over time.
