Visionary Reports

Civil society organizations have galvanized support to conquer menstrual stigma and call for tax-free sanitary pad

In the days ahead, activities will be carried out in the Littoral region to strengthen communities and groups to end tax on sanitary pads and transform harmful social and cultural norms, beliefs, and practices that perpetuate menstrual shame, stigma, taboo, fear, pain, violence, isolation, or discrimination into dignity, justice, and health.This initiative aligns with the project “Advocacy Campaign to EndPadTaxNow & Advance Menstrual Dignity & Justice in Cameroon” under the “Sang pour Sang” initiative. Supported by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the project aims to increase awareness and shift away from menstrual shame to dignity and justice.

The 18-month advocacy campaign, co-led by Women for a Change (Wfac) and 10 national partners, including Lesley Foundation, Girls Excel, Association pour une Meilleure Insertion Socioprofessionnelle des filles au Cameroun, Vision In Action Cameroon (VIAC), and Handicapés et Fiers, will work across diverse themes and constituencies.Speaking to Cameroon Tribune on Wednesday September 24, Dr. Zoneziwoh Mbondgulo-Wondieh, Executive Director of Wfac, emphasized that menstrual dignity is a matter of rights and justice, not a privilege. She highlighted that the project builds on existing efforts to ensure menstrual products are available, affordable, and accessible to all who need them.”Because of poor sanitation and lack of sanitary products, girls often miss classes during menstruation, losing over 200 hours of the 800 hours of annual class time,” she said. “If products are available, accessible, and affordable—meaning without tax, schools can provide pads and ensure a clean environment for menstrual dignity.”The expected outcomes after 18 months include removing taxes from menstrual products, ensuring schools and communities provide clean water for girls to stay in school, transforming negative behaviors toward menstruation, and moving away from menstrual shame to justice and dignity.On her part, Sendy Forlemu, Communications Officer at Vision In Action Cameroon, noted, “At a time when the humanitarian crisis deepens inequalities, advancing menstrual dignity for marginalized groups, including sex workers and other minority populations, is not only urgent but essential for justice, inclusion, and community health.”The project will be implemented across the Littoral, Southwest, Northwest, and Far North regions of Cameroon, using innovative advocacy strategies, community engagement, learning and exchanges, policy-shaping activities, storytelling, and research to ensure women, girls, and young people can exercise their right to menstruate with dignity.

By Gina Esong