Amnesty Ghana Advocates for Tax-Free Sanitary Products to Combat Menstrual Poverty

ACCRA: Amnesty International Ghana has urged the government to exempt sanitary products from taxes to aid in combating menstrual poverty. The organization highlighted the economic barriers many Ghanaian girls face in accessing menstrual products due to current tax policies. According to Ghana News Agency, Madam Genevieve Partington, the Country Director of Amnesty International Ghana, spoke passionately about the issue at the 2024 MenstruART exhibitions at the Mix Design Hub in Osu-Accra. Partington pointed out that the lack of access to menstrual products, proper sanitation, and menstrual hygiene education severely impacts girls' ability to participate fully in educational and societal activities. She emphasized that period poverty and the stigma around Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) are significant obstacles to gender equality, not only in Ghana but globally. During her speech, Partington addressed various challenges, including cultural myths and stigmas that prevent open discussions about menstruatio n. She made a direct appeal to the government, requesting the removal of import taxes on sanitary care products to increase access for those living in poverty. "By making sanitary products tax-exempt in Ghana, we can take a significant step towards ending menstrual inequity," Partington stated. The event also celebrated the contributions of participants in this year's MenstruART competition, which focuses on using art to highlight menstrual issues and advocate for the end of period poverty. The competition saw participation from over forty individuals, with an artist named Abenaoyiwaa winning the top prize. Abenaoyiwaa received a cheque for GHS 10,000, and certificates were awarded to the top ten artists.