Previously published in the Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne
Tampon tax, period tax, pink tax . . . whatever you want to call it -- taxing menstruation products increases period poverty in Indiana. As the state profits by $5.6 million in tax revenue annually on basic hygiene, 1 in 4 women and girls struggles to afford these products for everyday life, even missing work and school when they have to go without.
Statewide nonprofits and community organizations convened at the Statehouse October 18 for Period Action Day to address period poverty and support the very real need for education and supplies.
It is estimated that the average person will spend the cost of a year's worth of period products in the amount of period tax they pay on these items in their lifetime. When every dollar counts for Indiana families, we as fellow citizens can ask our legislators to support the next bill to eliminate the period tax this coming January. We can have conversations about where and how we can provide products for students and underserved communities.
Periods span half of our lifetimes and directly affect half the population. Making the journey a little more equitable for Hoosiers makes sense and maybe a whole lot of dollars.
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