The Petition Aiming To Eliminate Period Poverty
Unfuck menstruation.
Periods are an uncomfortable time of the month for most women and more often than not sanitary products get taken for granted. To many, the idea of the tampon tax might not be something that has ever crossed your mind – but what happens when you’re unable to afford basic necessities?
Whether you use tampons, pads or menstrual cups, periods are a natural part of everyday life. Yet in Germany, sanitary products are considered a luxury item and not a fundamental human need and in turn, have a 19 percent sales tax.
Attempting to put an end period poverty, the vegan and sustainable period product brand, Einhorn, have petitioned for the Bundestag to eliminate the harsh tax on sanitary products and have succeeded in collecting their aim of over 50,000 signatures , the aim is for the petition to be discussed in a public meeting of the petitions committee to show Germany how necessary it is to lower the tax on tampons. Since 1963, the rule on taxation of sanitary products has remained unchanged which is why it requires immediate attention to make period products inclusive to everyone who needs them.
Einhorn isn’t the only ones pushing to end period poverty, the Scottish government has also announced that students across schools, colleges and universities should have free access to the products they need. As a result of people struggling to afford products, figures have shown that 66% of women feel less able to pay attention in class when menstruating. If a female has to miss school every time, she has a period, she would be 145 days behind her male classmates in education.
The taboo behind period poverty is slowly beginning to fade, but there is still work to be done. No one should have to suffer as a result of a natural bodily cycle.
To find out more about the petition visit Einhorn’s Instagram @Einhorn.period and follow their mission to unfuck menstruation.
Preview image by @traitspourtraits
Next up, We Talk To Student Activist Amika George About Period Poverty And The FreePeriods Movement
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