Women MPs in Ghana’s 8th Parliament have united with market women and students to push for the immediate elimination of import taxes and value-added tax (VAT) on sanitary pads made in Ghana and abroad.
The coalition argues that sanitary pads are not a luxury but a fundamental necessity for the health and well-being of women and adolescent girls.
Comfort Doyoe, Member of Parliament for Ada and leader of the initiative, spearheaded a press conference held in Parliament on Wednesday, November 29, 2023.
She emphasized that the issue transcends economics and politics, highlighting its importance in the context of human rights, dignity, and equality.
Doyoe stressed that affordable menstrual hygiene products are a basic human right that should not be hindered by financial barriers. The imposition of import duties and VAT on these essential items, she argued, has created an undue burden, rendering them inaccessible to many.
The Minority’s Deputy Whip echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that monthly menstrual flow is a necessary biological factor and not an accident.
She expressed dismay at the discrepancy between the tax treatment of sanitary pads and other items, stating, “We cannot have a situation where there is zero tax on condom importation, making it almost free for pleasure, while taxing sanitary pads. This is unacceptable, and we say DON’T TAX OUR BLOOD.”
Adding her voice to the cause, Laadi Ayii Ayamba, MP for Pusiga, demanded free sanitary pads for all girls in school. She highlighted the successful distribution of free sanitary pads during the tenure of former President John Mahama, questioning why this crucial initiative was discontinued.
Ayamba underscored the far-reaching consequences of the current situation, affecting not only the girl child but also mothers, as some resort to premarital sex due to the unaffordability of sanitary pads. She emphasized the urgency of addressing this issue to prevent school dropouts and protect the dignity of women and girls.
The Women MPs outlined three decisive actions they implore the government to take:
- Removal of Import Duties: Urging the elimination of import duties on sanitary pads, both imported and locally manufactured, to ensure affordability for all women and girls.
- Exemption from VAT: Requesting a waiver of Value Added Tax on sanitary pads to make these products more accessible and affordable, particularly for those in marginalized communities.
- Free Sanitary Pads: Advocating for the government to guarantee free sanitary pad distribution in low-income communities, emphasizing that access to essential menstrual hygiene products is a right, not a privilege. This initiative aims to alleviate financial burdens and empower women and girls in marginalized areas.
