Global Laws
Laws of countries regarding menstrual equity globally.
Developing Countries
Kenya and India have all eliminated sales and value-added taxes of menstrual health products
Women in Indonesia are granted a paid two-day leave once a month while menstruating.
Zambia entitles women to one day each month for menstrual leave, known as “Mother’s Day.”
Developed Countries
Scotland will be the first country to eliminate period poverty by providing free menstrual hygiene products to all women in the country.
The UK announced their efforts in 2019 to ensure pads & tampons are provided for free across all schools in England. These efforts are benefitting 1 in 10 girls from a low income family and addresses the 12% of girls missing class while on their periods.
Canada and Ireland have all eliminated sales and value-added taxes of menstrual health products
Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, a few Chinese provinces, and Zambia have laws mandating menstrual leave, ensuring women can have paid leave from work during their menstrual cycle.
From January 1st, 2020, pads and tampons in Germany are no longer considered luxury items, cutting the sales tax from 19% to 7%.
New Zealand provides free sanitary products for all school girls, helping girls receive an education and helping tackle period poverty.
Source:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2020/02/26/scotland-moves-become-first-country-make-pads-tampons-free/
https://www.smh.com.au/business/workplace/menstrual-leave-the-new-woke-workplace-right-20190815-p52hlc.html#:~:text=Menstrual%20leave%20around%20the%20world&text=Countries%20with%20menstrual%20leave%20in%20their%20labour%20codes%2C%20either%20at,France%2C%20Brazil%20and%20Hong%20Kong.a
https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/tampons-will-no-longer-be-taxed-as-luxury-items-after-landmark-german-vote-1.4675984
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/mar/06/budget-2020-chancellor-plans-to-finally-end-tampon-tax
https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/08/europe/tampon-tax-germany-luxury-item-grm-intl/index.html
https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/04/asia/new-zealand-period-poverty-schools-intl-hnk/index.html
http://legacy.senate.gov.ph/lisdata/29312471!.pdf