GHANA women struggle to ‘bleed with dignity,’ lament high menstrual products cost gov’t say are luxury items

ACCRA,  Ghana, November 14, 2023 – In Ghana, the high cost of sanitary pads has become a critical issue for women and girls, exacerbated by government taxation on these essential products.

With Ghana undergoing its worst economic crisis in recent times, the struggle to afford basic necessities has disproportionately impacted women, particularly regarding menstrual health.

Sanitary pads, essential for menstrual hygiene, are taxed as “Finished Goods” at a 20% import rate, with an additional Value Added Tax (VAT) of 12.5-15%. This situation has sparked protests and discussions about “period poverty” – the difficulty in affording menstrual products and the economic vulnerability it causes.

Activists, led by the women’s wing of the Socialist Movement of Ghana, are demanding the removal of these taxes, arguing that sanitary products should be categorized as “Essential Social Goods” and be tax-exempt.

They emphasize that menstrual hygiene is not a luxury but a necessity for dignified living. The conversation extends beyond menstrual products to broader gender issues in economic policy, especially given the impending austerity measures tied to an IMF loan, which are expected to further reduce public spending on critical services.

The economic exploitation of women is highlighted, considering their significant contribution to sectors like agriculture without adequate social support.

Period poverty is also deepened by social norms and taboos around menstruation, leading to challenges in education and health. For example, high pad prices force some to use less safe alternatives, impacting school attendance and health.

Loretta Ashie of the SMG’s Women’s Wing points out the financial burden: a minimum wage earner spends about 20-25% of their income on menstrual pads. This significant cost, combined with other expenses like rent and food, puts tremendous strain on women and girls, particularly those in lower-income brackets.

“Our minimum wage is 14 cedis, 88 pesewas, which is about USD 1.88, and a menstrual pad is sold for between 15 to 40 cedis… so if a person uses even two pads, they are spending about 70 to 80 cedis. This is about 20 to 25% of their income,” Ashie said.

“25% is gone and then you have rent, utilities…you have to find food…if you have dependents, they [also] have to eat.”

“The government needs to remove these taxes and subsidize sanitary pads and make it free for girls in basic and secondary schools… because this is not a choice.” she said, adding that sanitary products must be considered an essential good.

The activists are calling for the government to eliminate taxes on sanitary products, subsidize them, and provide them for free in schools, emphasizing that access to menstrual hygiene products is a fundamental right, not a privilege.

Their efforts included a march to Parliament to present their demands and continued advocacy to end the stigma around menstruation and address broader societal challenges related to gender and economic inequality. (WiredJA)