Removing taxes on sanitary pads would serve the greater good of girls and women, according to the National Democratic Congress’ Women’s Wing in South Africa.
The second phase of the South African National Democratic Congress (NDC) Women’s Wing Sanitary Pads project visited Effiduasi Asokore Constituency, urging the government to waive all taxes on sanitary pads.
According to the NDC SA Women’s Wing, this move would reduce the cost of sanitary towels, thereby improving women’s menstrual hygiene.
Aligned with the values of assisting the less privileged and energizing the NDC’s base, the donation ceremony was held at Tijaniya Senior High School in Effiduasi Asokore on Sunday, March 3, 2024.
The program was themed “Empowering Girls Through Menstrual Hygiene – Victory for John Mahama.”
During her speech at the function, Madam Wilbertina Buxton, SA NDC Women’s Wing Organizer, emphasized the urgent need for the government to adhere to their advocacy of waiving all taxes on sanitary pads.
According to her, this move would not only lower the prices of pads on the market but also encourage more girls to use hygienic sanitary pads to improve their well-being and enhance their confidence.
Madam Buxton noted that this particular activity started last year and was usually done in August to coincide with SA Women’s Month. “But, because this year is an election year, we’ve decided to run the project across the entire country. We’ve been to the Oti Region, and this is the second region we’re visiting,” she stated.
Linking politics with the cost of sanitary pads to the economy, she emphasized that the era when rags and other unhygienic materials were used by girls during their menses was over. However, the current governance by the NPP has made it difficult for girls to procure pads, hence their decision to step in with the project to help.
She paid glowing tribute to Mr. Benjamin Kofi Quashie, NDC SA Council of Elders Chair, for being the main sponsor of the sanitary pad project.
In attendance with Madam Buxton were Mr. Benjamin Quashie, Gloria Huze, Ashanti Region Women Organiser and her deputy, Ibrahim Adams, Effiduasi Asokore Constituency Chairman of the NDC, Efiduase Asokore Constituency Women Organiser, and the Constituency Executives.
Also present were Stephen Atuahene, Ayensuano Constituency Vice Chairman, and some of the Ablekuma West Constituency Women’s Wing Executives.