Unprecedented initiative by the Bangladesh Government to repeal VAT and Tax on sanitary pads

WaterAid and the WASH sector networks together share their gratitude to the Government of Bangladesh for their unprecedented initiative to exempt VAT and supplementary duty on imported raw materials required for manufacturing sanitary napkins. It is expected that the price of sanitary pads can be lowered by 40% if this exemption is factored in – making sanitary napkins more affordable for millions of women and girls in the country. 

This is an example of a joint sector-wide advocacy, made collectively from the WASH sector during last year’s national election campaign. Post this sign off, we would now like to call upon all sanitary napkin manufacturers to immediately reflect this exemption on prices, so that girls and women can benefit from easier access to an essential product during their periods. 

In the future, we hope the Government of Bangladesh will continue to support similar initiatives, particularly encouraging small- and medium-scale manufacturers across the country to promote accessible and affordable hygiene products for women and girls in rural and hard-to-reach regions of the country. 

Please find the policy brief: http://bit.ly/BriefOnPadTax