Uuniversity of Leeds HUMAN RIGHTS JOURNAL
Why abolishing UK
‘tampon tax’
isn’t enough to end period
poverty or stigma. Laura Cameron
Second Year, Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American
2020/21
09
122
With the UK’s transition out of the European Union, the HM Treasury has abolished the VAT on ‘period products’ which is mandated under EU law. This is just part of the wider government action to end period poverty by rolling out free tampons in schools and hospitals around England. Period poverty - not only an issue in the UK but worldwide - is the lack of access to menstruation products due to financial constraints. And, although abolishing tampon tax is a necessary step (and a welcomed step), the UK is far from ending period poverty. It is important that we do not mistake abolishing VAT on what was never a ‘luxury item’ for abolishing the financial troubles or the stigma caused by menstruation.