Praise for proposed GST cut on sanitary pads

THE proposed cut on goods and services tax (GST) on sanitary pads as one of the selected items by the Government is good news for women and girls in the country, Queenpads Products Ltd chief executive officer Anne-Shirley Korave says.
Korave was reacting to Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey’s statement in Parliament last week to remove the 10 per cent GST on some items for a six-month period.
“This is good news for women in PNG as many struggle to afford this essential product for menstrual hygiene and they end up using other alternatives such as cloth or materials which can impose health risks,” she told The National yesterday.
“A cut on GST means a reduction in selling price which will mean many can at least afford sanitary products.”
Korave also thanked the Government for the tax break on sanitary products saying access to pads had been a silent need for many women and girls in the country.
“I just hope this can continue beyond the six-month timeframe and hopefully in the future (the government) can consider it in the budget: free issue of sanitary pads, especially at schools,” she said.
Korave said menstruation was not a choice but a special process that was part of the human reproductive system.
Queenpads is a locally-owned enterprise that produces reusable sanitary products.
The company also conducts awareness on menstrual health and hygiene.