Remove Taxes On Menstrual Pads, Specialist Begs FG

A public health specialist, Mrs Tonia Sodunke has called on the Federal Government to remove taxes on menstrual pads in order to make it affordable for girls most especially at rural areas.

Sodunke made the call Thursday during an outreach on ‘Hygienic Mentural Cycle’ and distribution of free pads to female students of Alabata Community High School, Alabata, a remote town in Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The ‘pad up’ programme, was in commemoration of this year’s International Day of the Girl Child.

The programme was jointly organised by a Non-governmental Organisation, the Treasured Point of Light (TPOL) and the Agricultural Media Resources and Extension Center (AMREC), a directorate of the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB).

The health expert noted that price of the menstrual products were increasing due to the economic hardship, and expressed worry that many young ladies could no longer afford it.

Sodunke said girls in the remote areas were still using rags and pieces of clothes during their period which often lead to poor menstrual hygiene.

“Can the government remove the tax on these pads? If tax is removed from pads it will make them cheaper and affordable.

” Can we consider removing tax from this menstrual products? And to a large extent, can we consider making provisions for rural areas like this? We can always have projects that cover areas like this.

“Forget that dollar rate is high, subsidy removal and all that, people are still living well in this country. Can we make it a point of duty to always think about these other people?,” he said.

The President of TPOL, Mrs Damilola Onebamhoin, said the programme was organised to give back to the society with a target of 500 girls in Alabata community and other adjoining villages.

She encouraged the female students to always maintain menstrual hygiene, remain focused and dedicated to achieving their goals in life.

“You should always feel special and know that menstruation can not stop you from reaching your goals,” Onebamhoin told the girls.