A Study on Comparison of taxes imposed on Menstrual Hygiene Products in Top 10 Nations with Highest GDP

Abstract

Menstruation, a natural process that occurs in women, has been a taboo subject for centuries. It is a process that occurs when the uterus sheds its lining, resulting in vaginal bleeding. On average, a woman menstruates around 3000 days in her lifetime. Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) is critical to ensure the safe management of menstruation. However, due to the misconception that menstruation is a sickness, women often face difficulties accessing proper MHM, which leads them to use unsanitary materials, leading to vaginal diseases. MHM is essential for women's basic rights and dignity, yet it is not defined in global sanitation standards. Gender equity is part of the SDGs, but menstrual hygiene is not included, which is a hindrance to overall growth and self-worth for women. Menstrual health is critical to achieving several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 6. (Clean Water and Sanitation). Period poverty can be addressed by governments, civil society organizations, and the private sector by providing free or low-cost sanitary products, improving sanitation facilities, and promoting menstrual health education. Investing in menstrual health can have a variety of benefits, including improved gender equality, poverty reduction, and overall health and well-being. This paper is an exploratory study based on secondary research to on comparison of taxes imposed on menstrual hygiene products in top 10 nations with highest GDP. Menstrual health is critical to achieving several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 6. (Clean Water and Sanitation). Period poverty can be addressed by governments, civil society organizations, and the private sector by providing free or low-cost sanitary products, improving sanitation facilities, and promoting menstrual health education. Investing in menstrual health can have a variety of benefits, including improved gender equality, poverty reduction, and overall health and well-being. Understanding this can help achieve gender equality in all sectors because women must not be punished for being women.