In a bold move aimed at addressing the socio-economic challenges faced by women and girls, the Deputy Chairperson of the Women caucus in Parliament, Hon. Comfort Doyoe-Cudjoe Ghansah, has called upon the government to immediately abolish taxes on imported sanitary pads.
Hon. Doyoe-Cudjoe Ghansah, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ada, highlighted the dire situation facing many young girls who struggle to afford sanitary pads due to the exorbitant prices. Her plea comes amidst growing concerns over the high cost of these essential items, which has led to increased instances of teenage pregnancies and sexual exploitation among vulnerable young girls.
“We can’t tax the menstrual blood of women to build a nation. It is not our fault to menstruate so taxing pads is like roasting your tongue to use as meat.”
Hon. Comfort Doyoe-Cudjoe Ghansah, Deputy Chairperson of the Women caucus in Parliament
The Deputy Minority Whip revealed a disturbing trend linked to the high cost of sanitary pads. She disclosed that many teenage pregnancies reported to her office stem from the inability of young girls to afford these products.
“Many of the young ladies go to the guys to take pads and they have sex with them and they get pregnant. This is on the rise because we are not doing what will stop these things.”
Hon. Comfort Doyoe-Cudjoe Ghansah, Deputy Chairperson of the Women caucus in Parliament
Under the current tax regime, sanitary pads fall under the Harmonized System Code 9619001000, classified as ‘Miscellaneous Manufactured Articles.’ This classification subjects sanitary pads to a combination of taxes, including a 20% import duty, 15% Import VAT, and various other import and statutory levies.
As a result, the overall tax burden on sanitary pads is substantial, contributing significantly to their high price range of GHC20.00 to GHC40.00 per pack. This situation not only makes sanitary pads unaffordable but also inaccessible, particularly for low-income households.
Madam Doyoe-Cudjoe Ghansah re-emphasized that menstruation is a natural phenomenon, and imposing taxes on sanitary pads only reinforces harmful gender and social norms.
The lack of affordability and accessibility of these products has far-reaching consequences, including school dropouts and the economic disempowerment of women and girls.
The high cost of sanitary pads has far-reaching consequences beyond financial strain. It leads to health risks for girls and young women who resort to using unhygienic alternatives due to the prohibitive prices of sanitary pads.
Additionally, the lack of access to these essential items often forces young girls out of school, exacerbating educational disparities and hindering their economic empowerment.
Comfort Doyoe-Cudjoe Ghansah’s call for the removal of taxes on sanitary pads echoes the sentiments of many advocates and organizations that have long campaigned for menstrual equity. The reduction or abolition of these taxes is seen as a crucial step towards ensuring that all women and girls have access to affordable menstrual hygiene products.
The appeal from Comfort Doyoe-Cudjoe Ghansah is a powerful reminder of the urgent need to address the taxation of sanitary products. By making sanitary pads affordable and accessible, the government can help alleviate the financial burden on women, promote gender equality, and protect the health and dignity of young girls and women across the country.
In light of the compelling arguments and the evident need for change, it is hoped that the government will act swiftly to scrap the taxes on imported sanitary pads, thereby making these essential products affordable for all and ensuring that no girl or woman is disadvantaged due to the natural process of menstruation.
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