The state assembly again failed to pass a bill to get rid of a 4% tax on menstrual products.
In Georgia, the legislature could pass a bill exempting certain goods from taxes if they are thought to be important. For example, groceries and prescriptions would not be taxed.
The bill was pushed through the Senate by Nabilah Islam Parkes, a state senator. Without SB 51, the tax would not have been charged. However, it was never put to a vote on the Senate floor. The tax brings in $7 to $9 million a year, which is less than 0.01% of the state budget.
Food, soda, and Viagra are free from state taxes, according to the state. We are not exempting menstrual goods, so why are we? There are now more women in government and most of the women I know agree that this bill needs to be passed, said Islam Parkes.
The National Organization of Women says that over the course of her life, the average American woman will spend $18,000 on menstrual goods. GA’s extra 4% tax adds up to almost $1,000 more.
Sheona Diwakar said that a class assignment made her want to help end period poverty in her neighborhood. She set up a charity called Soaring Doves. She held a cleanliness drive instead of a food drive. She got things to help 10,000 women with the help of her friends.
“Someone told me I had to choose between groceries and menstrual products. Do I avoid eating or go through this one thing once a month with grace?”
One in five women and one in eight men live in poverty. The Alliance for Period Supplies says that one in three low-income women have missed work or school because they didn’t have their period supplies.
“I’d like to see stricter laws here in Georgia.” “That last thing to do to make sure everyone has what they need,” Diwakar said.
Only 21 states still tax period goods, and Georgia is one of them. She said she would bring up the bill again in 2025.
