Periods are not the most luxurious time of the month, at least not for me. Feeling gross, aching boobs, cramps, and worst of all… blood flowing out of your body uncontrollably. Does that sound luxurious to you? I didn’t think so, and it’s not like tampon boxes are diamond coated or come with strings of pearls attached. So why are they taxed as luxuries in 40 states?
The average tampon box costs around 7 dollars, and all of the accessories that periods require cost women an extra $5,600 in their lifetime. A sum that men living in the US are not required to pay, which means just because you have a vagina you pay higher prices for your basic needs. Not only are tampons taxed but as a women you pay more for hygiene products than a man does, and the only difference between the product is the isle in which it is shelved. Considering the wage gap in the workplace that unfairly gives women only 79 cents to the men’s dollar, this tax can be a burden some women can not afford to carry.
Women who are living in poverty or are experiencing homelessness, already struggle with day to day life and adding a period on top of it can be the final straw. For women who are homeless there are few options when it comes to having a period, they either free bleed, leaving them feeling gross and their clothes ruined, or resort to other options in which they try and make unsanitary items, like a paper bag, into tampons or pads. Beyond the uncomfortableness of using a paper bag or similar items as tampons, they can cause infection, leaving the woman with an even bigger problem than she started with.
As for the help these women receive, it is limited. Most homeless shelters are not able to afford enough sanitary products to all the women they house with the supplies they need to make it through their period. There are some organizations like Camions of Care that supply tampons and pads to homeless women in more than 10 states around the country! Organizations like these are really making a difference, and you can too. Donating is to organizations like Camions of care is a fantastic way to help, but you can also join marches, speak out on the subject, join a club at your school, donate to shelters, and write letters to your state government. By doing these you can make a difference in not only your life, but women’s lives all around the country.
