GOB to Remove Tax on Feminine Products by April

In an effort to reduce the financial burden on families as the cost of living continues to rise, the Government of Belize is looking to implement a new policy. Beginning April 1, the 12.5% GST on women sanitary products will be waived and these products will be classified as essential household items. The decision was made by Cabinet following a campaign titled “Don’t Tax My Femininity” that was launched by Belizean student, Seidi Quetzal. The campaign was adopted by the Special Envoy for Women and Children, Rossana Briceño, who was able to bring it to the attention of Prime Minister, John Briceño. She says that this is a multi-stakeholder effort in promoting women’s rights.

H.E. Rossana Briceño, Special Envoy for The Development of Families and Children: “I know for a fact that Cabinet has taken this very seriously and they’re looking at the whole process of making sure that the sanitary products, that women do not pay the taxes on sanitary products. I said we never asked for a period, it’s not a privilege to have a period. For some women it may because that means that you can have a child but it’s a human right and why should we be taxed because we have a period every month ? You know and unfortunately it’s women and girls the men don’t have to pay  dollar for that. You might have to pay for other things but not for sanitary products.”