The Indian government announced on the 21st that it would no longer impose a 12% import tariff on sanitary napkins. Some women's rights protection groups estimate that about 80% of women in this South Asian country cannot use sanitary napkins. The tax exemption measures will help more women to spend special days safely and enter schools and workplaces.

Indian acting finance minister Piyush Goyal attended the meeting of the goods and services Tax Committee in the capital New Delhi on the 21st. At the press conference after the meeting, he announced the abolition of import tariffs on sanitary napkins. Previously, according to the goods and services tax implemented by India in July 2017, the import tax rate of sanitary napkins was 12%.

In rural India, some women lack health knowledge. Because sanitary napkins are expensive and difficult to afford, they have to use old clothes or cloth strips, which increases the risk of infection and disease.

400000 people petitioned for tariff reduction

Last year, congressman susmi tadev launched a petition on the Internet, calling on the government to reduce the tariffs on sanitary napkins, and obtained more than 400000 signatures.

Amar tuliyan, the founder of this group, said that the news that the Indian government canceled the sanitary napkin tariff was a great victory for everyone. According to him, 82% of women in India are unable to use sanitary napkins, and the tax exemption measure is "a major benefit".

Surbish Singh, head of a foundation in India that aims to enhance women's awareness of menstrual health, said that this is a necessary measure that is widely expected. Helping women stay in school and work will help them grow and show their real potential.