Close
Search
Menu Menu
[gtranslate]

Malawi cuts tax on sanitary pads

Credit: Unsplash
By
Nairobi, Kenya
0 comments
0 comments

The Malawian government has cut the 16.5% tax on sanitary pads to make them more accessible and affordable as part of a mission to end period poverty.

Approximately 80% of Malawians live in rural areas of the country.

With such a large portion of the population based in rural areas, most girls have little to no access to sanitary pads and those who do are considered to be in a privileged position.

Earlier this week, the government announced it would be cutting its 16.5% tax on sanitary wares to enable more accessibility and affordability of these products.

Making the announcement, the Finance Minister Sosten Gwengwe said, β€˜in the spirit of promoting girl child education, the government has listened to the contributions that came from various stakeholders and has consequently removed duty and excise tax on sanitary pads.’ This change will take effect from the beginning of April.

The announcement was welcomed by both national and international rights groups. The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), which has been advocating for free sanitary pads issuance across Africa, applauded Malawi for its step to cut the tax to promote the well-being of a girl child.

In 2021, the organisation orchestrated a campaign across Malawi known as β€˜A Necessity, Not a Luxury’ and donated 5 million sanitary pads.


Assisting vulnerable girls

According to UNICEF, Malawi has the 12th highest child marriage prevalence rate in the world. Additionally, 42% of girls are married before the age of 18 and 9% before the age of 15 respectively.

Despite the government committing to eliminate child marriages by 2030, the national human rights groups and international organisations have taken upon themselves to assist vulnerable girls in rural areas and provide educational resources.

A lack of sanitary pads is major cause of skipped lessons and an eventual drop out from schools, and the societal stigma around menstrual products often causes mental and emotional upset.

Youth Net and Counselling (YONECO) has held different menstrual health campaigns in various parts of the country to inform the general public and girls on menstrual hygiene. The organisation also reaches out to village teenagers to teach how to make reusable sanitary pads.

The pads are made from locally available materials such as pieces of clean cloth, cotton and some fabrics which they learn how to sew, and can last up to a year through good maintenance.


Reusable pads

Across Africa, more support groups are introducing reusable pads to girls.

They are issued for free and are accessible to the majority of girls in rural and semi-urban areas. Through donations, countries such as Malawi have seen significant growth in the number of girls attending schools and completing their secondary education.

Through campaigns and educating the public on its use, more girls are able to attend school and reduce the stigma.

Writer Nairobi, Kenya

I’m Derrick (He/Him), a Journalism and Mass Communication graduate from the Technical University of Mombasa, Kenya. Currently I write about trending topics and major issues affecting Africa for Thred, specifically concerning SDGs. View my TwitterΒ here if you’d like to send me feedback.

Popular

Keep up with thred by signing up to our planet-positive newsletter!

More from thred.

A look at the Haitian mass deportation crisis
Credit: Richard Pierrin AFP
People

A look at the Haitian mass deportation crisis

In recent months, the Dominican Republic has ramped up its deportation campaign targeting Haitian immigrants, with plans to expel 10,000 each week. Why? As Haiti remains engulfed in widespread gang violence and political instability, returning to their home country could lead to dire consequences, especially for vulnerable groups such as women and children. Despite international outcry, the Dominican government is pressing ahead with its policy, further intensifying an already critical humanitarian...

By Nairobi, Kenya
Investing in women’s health could save the UK economy Β£11bn each year
Credit: Thred
People

Investing in women’s health could save the UK economy Β£11bn each year

A new report conducted in the UK estimates that the national government loses more than Β£10 billion annually due to women missing work because of unresolved health issues. It’s an unfortunate truth that women’s health has been overlooked for centuries, leaving major gaps in our medical understanding about the different illnesses and diseases that affect us. In most parts of the world, this lax attitude towards women’s health continues today. Women’s...

By London, UK
Climate change will make this species more vulnerable to ship collisions
Credit: Unsplash
People

Climate change will make this species more vulnerable to ship collisions

A new study suggests that endangered whale sharks will soon abandon their normal habitats due to rapidly warming oceans. This change will place them on directly in line with major shipping routes. The climate crisis is having a profound impact on our planet and all living beings on it, including marine animals. As global ocean temperatures rise, biologists and marine scientists are noticing a series of changes taking place. Coral reefs...

By London, UK
Britain shuts its last power plant and opts for eco-friendly fuel
Credit: Thred
Planet

Britain shuts its last power plant and opts for eco-friendly fuel

The last coal power plant in Britain was closed last week, marking the end of over 140 years of coal-fired electricity and the beginning of more eco-friendly fuel use in the country. Ratcliffe-on-soar, in central England, was home to the last coal power station in the UK. After more than half a century of turning coal, it finished its final shift last Monday at midnight. The UK government has hailed...

By London, England
Accessibility