Of GST and menstruation being a taboo

Women bleed every month, for 3 to 7 days. They use sanitary pads and other hygiene products to manage those period days - those are essentials for women, they have to use these hygienic products every month.

And, in Malaysia, pockets and wallets bleed extra every month to pay 6% GST imposed on menstruation managing hygiene products. Rightfully, these items are supposed to be exempted from GST but because Asian society considers it taboo and shameful to talk about menstruation, we are taxed for bleeding every month. And, we’re quietly enduring it along with period cramps.

Women in Europe and Americas raised hell in Parliament when sanitary pads were mulled to be taxed. They argued on what menstruation accounts for and gave liable and valid pointers and campaigned until the tax was reversed.

A campaign and petition happened here too, with some girls uploading defiant statuses like, “If GST is gonna be implemented on sanitary napkins, don’t wear em. Bleed all out. Freak the fuck out of them.” But conservatism proved more powerful than liberalism here. When Indian women can lament on the Neeyum Naanum song from Naanum Rowdy Than, on how disgusting it is that a father is getting his daughter sanitary pads, can they even lobby the cause of GST exemption on sanitary pads to the hilt? And, that was why a campaign against GST on sanitary pads initiated by some girls who are sama kepala with us fizzled out.

Men are actually ready to hear the problems ladies face out but ladies don’t voice out and therein lies the problem. The day we consign the shame associated with menstruation and talk about it openly is the day where GST on sanitary pads will be abolished due to mutual understanding on what menstruation accounts for.