Changing Tax Policies to End Period Discrimination
The inability to afford period products is a violation of women’s health rights and a form of systemic discrimination.
In Greece, period products are taxed at the highest VAT rate of 24%.
This needs to change!
Our mission
to tackle period poverty in Greece comprehensively by addressing two key pillars:
Policy Making: our goal is to eliminate the tax on period products through
data-driven policy proposals with key decision-makers.
Social Change: our goal is to challenge the stigma surrounding menstruation through
impactful social awareness campaign.
Action
The reduction of inequality and the defense of rights is in our hands, and equality is the business of all of us. Information is the greatest power and cooperation, the strongest weapon for a society without discrimination.
Immediate reduction of VAT to 13%.
Together with Women on Top and Deon Policy Institute, we are advocating for recognizing period products as essential goods and demanding an immediate reduction of VAT to 13%. We propose lowering the VAT from 24% to 13% for period products, in line with the European Recommendation of January 15, 2019, which urges all member states to remove the tax on these products. The Greek government can include period products in Annex III of the Tax Code and apply a reduced rate.
Tracking prices of period products
Through our collaboration with Astylab and Just Data Please, as part of the Data for Greece initiative, we are tracking the prices of period products in supermarkets throughout our campaign.
Fiscal cost
Reducing VAT is estimated to cost the budget approximately €12.3 million per year, accounting for just 0.021% of the country’s annual tax revenue
Why change is needed?
The current VAT rate disproportionately affects women and perpetuates inequality due to their normal function of their body. Reducing the tax is crucial for promoting women's rights and supporting social cohesion.
Greece
According to data from MRB's research (October 2018):
18% of mothers state that they have had to skip purchasing essential goods at least once in order to buy sanitary pads. This number is equivalent to a full Herodion Theatre – not just once, but 28 times.
More than 10.000 girls have missed at least one day of school because they could not afford period products.
20% of mothers in Greece report struggling to afford period products. It would take approximately 4.840 buses with 30 seats each to accommodate all these women.
Europe
The European Parliament, in its 2019 resolution (2020/C 411/06), called on member states to eliminate the tax on period products, and 14 countries have already reduced VAT. Cyprus set it at 5% as early as 2007!
Our team
Ismini Drosoforidi
Dimitris Tsoutsos
Petrina Sirmou
We found ourselves..
At this year's Inclusivity Lounge organized by Women On Top, held at the heart of the Delphi Economic Forum, we explored the importance of inclusive, flexible, and non-discriminatory family policies, especially in supporting caregivers—who are predominantly women. We also highlighted the need to ease the financial burden on mothers by ensuring access to basic necessities like period products, such as pads and tampons.
Meanwhile conversations about our Impact are growing..
A reform that can happen tomorrow
Thodoris Georgakopoulos
Campaign against tax that discriminates against women
Vicky Katehaki
VAT reduction on menstrual products
Katerina Iordanidi
Gen Z Podcast
Ismini Drosoforidi
3 Truths on the occasion of Women's Day
Ismini Drosoforidi
Partners in Change
We want you with us!
Support us in the fight for fair tax policy for women. Get in touch, donate, spread our message, and be part of the effort for a society free from tax injustice.