Sanitary pads now zero VAT rated

The government listened when women spoke up for sanitary pads and panty liners to be added on the list of VAT zero-rated items, it has been effective since 1 April.  

The decision was announced in 2018 when Finance Minister Tito Mboweni presented his medium-term budget, zero VAT rated means that consumers should be purchasing their sanitary products at less 15 per cent.

Kotex marketing manager of feminine care, Nthabiseng Leso said in a statement that they were fully in support of the decision, “This has been the plea for many women and young girls out there who are struggling to purchase such a basic need.

“We hope this will alleviate some of the financial hardships women and girls experience due to them not being able to afford sanitary pads.”

The campaign to make sanitary pads zero per cent rated has been a long fight, from public perception being created in society that menstruation is embarrassing to doctors treating menstrual cycles as a disability even suggesting that women should avoid vigorous exercise, these stigmas are still being fought by menstrual advocates.

The government’s decision is a big step, particularly to young women and girls who are not able to attend school due to their cycle or not being able to afford sanitary pads. Leso added, “Young girls need to be able to go to school without any barriers.”

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https://sandtonchronicle.co.za/209278/shoprite-introduces-vat-free-sanitary-pad-subsidy/