WOMEN’S PACKAGE
the
Period
pOVERTY Perspective Story by Samantha Cabeza | Photos by Angela Kyle | Design by Grace Winter Period poverty is a global issue that many women, people who are nonbinary, people who are transgender, low-income and homeless individuals struggle with. Menstrual products are taxed because they are considered nonessential, according to the American Medical Women’s Association. This is an issue many women experience in 35 states across the country. Women in college and low-income individuals who get their period are the first to suffer from this taxation. High prices on menstrual products mean women have to decide between going to class or dropping out of school due to their period. Being a woman is expensive. From clothes to toiletries, everything is overpriced and taxed. But you may not know that as of July 1, 2020, the Tampon Tax was eradicated in Washington state, meaning that your period doesn’t have to consistently break the bank. Or does it? According to the American Medical Women’s Association, Many individuals in the U.S. face period poverty, the inability to afford menstrual products, necessary to anyone who has a period. Even though the removal of the tax cuts down the costs of tampons and pads, this doesn’t mean that everyone can afford these products.
Tampon Tax
Because of the Senate Bill 5147, The Tampon Tax is exempt in Washington State which provides tax relief to females by exempting feminine hygiene 30
FALL 2020
products from retail and use tax, according to the Washington State Legislature. Ella Daish, an environmental activist and founder of the #EndPeriodPlastic campaign says the hard work of campaigners and activists across the globe is starting to pay off. “It is fantastic seeing states like Washington and countries like the UK taking action and addressing the issue by axing the tax,” Daish says. States like Washington and New York are some of the first to get rid of the tax altogether, but there are still many states that still consider menstrual products to be a luxury. According to NPR and Viagra, dandruff shampoo and chapstick are not taxed because they are considered essential products. But why aren’t medical necessities viewed as the same? Elle Altman, co-social media coordinator and executive board
member at Bleed the North, a nonprofit based in Canada, says, that because menstrual products are still taxed and not covered under insurance, we as people are still a long way from equality. Many websites and services offer discounts on period products, tax-free or even free products for individuals to obtain. #ReThinkPink is a website that sells period products, taxfree. It is one of many period campaigns that are aiming to support those in need. According to their website, they have helped save individuals 1.7 million dollars by removing the tax.
Periods During a Pandemic
Activists like Daish offer resources for individuals who get their period and suffer from period poverty. She says she provides the “Eco Period Box” for people to purchase when they are struggling with affording menstrual products.
