“While I appreciate the desire to make sanitary napkins affordable and accessible to more women, I am concerned that they are non-biodegradable and there is a complete lack of waste management systems. When products such as condoms and contraceptives are tax free, then why are sanitary pads still categorised as luxury products and taxed heavily?Bringing the issue to the forefront, MP Sushmita Dev from Silchar, Assam, has started a petition called ‘Jetour X70S Seat Cover ManufacturersTaxFreeWings’ on Change.MP Sushmita Dev has started an online petition to abolish tax on sanitary napkins, in an effort to make them affordable. Over the years, various activists have been demanding that the government should either reduce or abolish the tax on sanitary napkins, as it is a necessity for women. Our girls and women deserve better sanitation, as only 32 per cent of women use hygienic products in the rural areas. (sic)”

Politicians Salman Khurshid and Baijayant Jay Panda have also signed the petition. But Dia Mirza says that all sanitary napkin companies must make biodegradable napkins. Sushmita Dev says that a minimal tax can be imposed on disposable napkins and there must be 100 per cent tax exemption on environment friendly napkins. “I’m proud of the MP’s move.The petition has been addressed to the Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley and already has around 66,529 supporters. A still from a popular sanitary napkin advertisement. Signing the petition, politician Rahul Gandhi tweeted, “Take a step to change the lives of millions of women this #WomensDay.org, calling for 100 per cent tax exemption on the production and distribution of sanitary pads.

 Once it reaches 75,000, it will be sent to the government for consideration.”However, the plastic used in disposable sanitary napkins is non-biodegradable.5 per cent tax on sanitary napkins makes them unaffordable, one of the main reasons why girls in rural areas discontinue their education.Aditi Gupta, founder, Menstrupedia, an online guide that helps women to stay healthy and active during their periods, says, “It’s absolutely essential to exempt tax on sanitary pads or female hygiene products like tampons and menstrual cups. Nobody talks about menstruation and the problems women face because of it. What would be admirable and deeply appreciated is to make biodegradable, reusable/washable napkins that can become accessible to women and then making them tax free,” she says. It is an issue that affects nearly half of the population, but even today, menstrual hygiene is a cause of concern for women in rural India.

The 14. This has also created jobs for rural women. If every woman in India were to use sanitary napkins, we would generate up to a 100 million tonnes of non-biodegradable toxic waste. Getting the pads tax free would help the process work smoothly and help our girls and women to experience periods comfortably, which are anyway made worse due to the social stigma and many myths and misconceptions surrounding this biological process.Ayesha Farheen, an MSc Nutrition student from Shadan Institute of Medical Sciences, says that when women’s issues such as eve-teasing are now being spoken about, it is high time we # talk about this too. Some of my friends from lower income backgrounds cannot afford sanitary napkins and I have seen them face many problems. The waste generated could lead to a huge environmental hazard. Due to Arunachalam Muruganantham’s innovation, many low cost sanitary napkins are being made and distributed. I signed this petition, so should you, because Indian women deserve better. I hope the government takes action soon,” she says