What Women Want Need

Caelyn Macky, Opinions Reporter

October 15, 2019

Every month. 2.95 billion US dollars worldwide in 2016. Every single month. This is the reality of the world we live in. A world where something inevitable, and inescapable costs billions of dollars worldwide.

Periods Around the World

Around the world, periods are seen as different things, ranging from an unavoidable aspect of life to being seen as a curse. In Afghanistan, 29 percent of girls skip school while on their periods, as they are deemed ‘unclean’, so they don’t get sufficient education in comparison to their male counterparts. Similarly to Afghanistan, in Nepal, there is a taboo called ‘Chhaupadi’ which deigns menstruation as unpure, and women are banned from their homes to shacks or sheds during their periods. The Nepalese Supreme Court has tried to eliminate the practice as many women per year die due to the bad sanitation they’re being forced into. However, despite fines, and incarceration threats, tradition has been slow to change. Even in Thailand, there is a stigma around tampons as people believe that they affect the “‘purity; of a woman based on the concept of virginity” (Grade 12 student). What many countries need to realize is the unavoidable nature of periods and the needs of women during that time.

The Tax

Thankfully, in Thailand, there are no taxes specifically against tampons and other feminine hygiene products. However, in many countries around the world, such as the US, there are taxes on tampons and other feminine sanitation products, usually created by male politicians. In Germany, luxury items have a 19% sales tax and necessary household items have a 7% sales tax. Now, in 2019, there is a 19% sales tax on feminine sanitation products qualifying the products as a ‘luxury’. This, however, is to be reduced to 7% by 2020 as an online campaign called “Periods are not a luxury” had over 180,000 signatures to change it. This shows how people can band together and solve a problem affecting millions showing how even one person can make a difference. There are many online petitions rallying to stop the tampon tax such as this one for California, as well as petitions for helping women in need. This other petition helps low-income students in the USA afford feminine hygiene products. Sign the petitions for free, and help save lives and women all over the world.

The Cost and Accessibility

Feminine hygiene products are a necessity for women around the world. An 11th grader said that she spends “typically around 600-1000 baht a month” on feminine products. Rhea Gandhi (11) also elaborated that period products are “too costly for several people, and prices should be lowered so that all girls can keep clean, and keep good hygiene”. In Kenya, 50% of school-aged girls don’t have access to feminine products and in India 42.6 million women cannot afford sanitation products. Because of no access, or no money, many women around the world are forced to use dirty rags in exchange for pads or tampons, resulting in rashes and diseases. Ashley Bremner (12) reiterated that periods “shouldn’t be looked at as a luxury” as many women around the world cannot afford them every month. Some women around the world live in such poor living conditions and qualities that they cannot use pads or tampons, or even rags but need to use parts of their clothing to not feel embarrassed. This is even a problem in Thailand, and many organizations around the world are trying to combat these extreme situations.

What We’re Doing

Many companies and organizations worldwide are helping women with financial problems, by supplying access to cheap or even free feminine products. Bloody Good Period, a non-profit organization, works to deliver feminine products to women all over the world who can’t afford them. AFRIpads, another organization, works towards supplying women in Africa, with reusable pads to cut down on the millions of waste each year generated from

feminine products. GSA, the Gender Sexuality Alliance here at ISB, has also helped women in Thailand by working with organizations in Chaing Mai to teach women how to make their own reusable pads. GSA, also sells period packages, with pads, comfort foods and other treats for girls on their periods. Sasha Wertime (11), an officer of GSA, said that “selling period packages was to normalize something that is completely normal but people are so scared to talk about.” Wendy O-Charoenrat (12), another officer of the club, said that “selling period packages is a loud statement that we aren’t ashamed of our bodies and we aren’t ashamed to support each other as girls”. Despite many organizations helping women, there are still many problems and many women around the world that need help. You can donate to organizations such as AFRIpads, Bloody Good Period, or you can support GSA with its bake sales and fundraisers.