Context:

The Tampon tax is one of the biggest issues of debate in the concept of feminism, as it leads to the high prices of menstrual products and hygiene products for females.

About Tampon Tax:

• The “tampon tax” refers to the value-added tax (VAT) or sales tax that is imposed on menstrual products such as tampons, sanitary pads, and menstrual cups.
• In many countries, these products are classified as non-essential or luxury items and are subject to the standard rate of taxation.
• Critics argue that menstrual products are necessary for the health and well-being of individuals who menstruate, and therefore should not be treated as luxury items. 
• They argue that taxing these products places an undue financial burden on individuals and perpetuates gender inequality.

Concern: 

• Advocates also say that in countries where menstruation remains a taboo subject, lawmakers and policymakers show little interest in starting debate about the affordability of period products.

Which countries have abolished the tampon tax?

• Since Kenya became the first country to scrap VAT on sanitary pads and tampons in 2004, at least 17 countries have followed suit, according to research by the Thomson Reuters Foundation.
• Among the latest countries to pass laws to abolish the tampon tax are Mexico, Britain and Namibia.
• In 2022, Scotland became the first nation to make tampons and sanitary pads free and available at designated public places such as community centers, youth clubs and pharmacies.

Why are some countries unwilling to scrap tampon taxes?

• VAT is an important source of revenue for governments – and the reason why many countries still have a tampon tax. 
• In countries belonging to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), VAT revenue represented 6.7% of their gross domestic product (GDP) in 2020.

  News Source: The Indian Express