KOZHIKODE: The Central Government’s rolling out of GST has invited anger from some unexpected quarters. Women across the country have lashed out against the 12 per cent tax on sanitary pads under the new tax system whereas condoms have zero tax. The campaign with the hash tag ‘#Don’t tax on my period’ is creating tremendous supporters in social media with men too taking up the cause.
“A woman’s life will have more than 3000 days of menstruation. Thus, a woman uses 6000 to 9000 sanitary napkins. Imagine the extra amount one has to shell out for a purely natural process,” asks Athira E.V, a Bangalore based techie. Usha. C, a gynaecologist said that at a time when the government was campaigning for menstrual hygiene, it was unfair to slap tax on sanitary pads. “It would affect the women folk in North India more. Rural women who shifted to pads would be forced to return to using cloths which is most uncomfortable and unhygienic,” she pointed.
“Normally one has to spend Rs 100 per month for pads. It would be difficult for unemployed women to afford the hike in the price,” felt Sheena. G, a housewife in Koyilandy. Arpitha Anand, a plus-two student lashed out that it was ridiculous to slap tax on sanitary pads whereas kumkum, bangles and condoms were tax-free. “The decision reflects discrimination towards women. It should be withdrawn by carrying out a concerted campaign both online and offline,” said writer Maina Umaiban.
