Belmopan activist’s efforts result in removal of taxes on sanitary products for women and girls

Published by BBNTEAM at March 11, 2023

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Posted: Saturday, March 11, 2023. 8:34 am CST.

By Aaron Humes: In mere months since returning from the Republic of China (Taiwan) with a Master’s Degree in International Relations and Diplomacy, consultant Seidi Quetzal has raised a groundswell for the end of so-called “period poverty.”

Quetzal successfully lobbied the Belize Government to remove all taxes on sanitary products used by women and girls, citing their high cost and limited usage due to the heavy taxation, which results in discomfort and occasionally disease.

Prime Minister John Briceño announced the removal of the 20 percent import duty, 3 percent environmental tax, and 12.5 percent General Sales Tax (GST) effective April 1, significantly reducing the cost of these products.

Quetzal conducted a survey of residents in Belmopan before approaching the Government and received positive feedback from Special Envoy for the Development of Families and Children Rossana Briceño, Minister of Human Development Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, the National Women’s Commission, and the Ministry of Health and Wellness. However, Quetzal believes that more needs to be done to address the issue, including educating people on menstruation and providing free sanitary products to schools: “This is an issue that needs to be addressed from all angles when it comes to education on menstruation and it’s also a health issue to have good health management when it comes to menstruation…my peers have also contributed to the cause financially; I have some friends back in Taiwan and they sent some finance to buy sanitary products for schools…the next step is to do an educational campaign in schools and provide these products to schools free of cost.”

She also notes that removing the taxes will benefit families, including single male parents with daughters. Quetzal plans to continue advocating for various causes and making her voice heard.

This move by the Government is a significant step towards promoting gender equality and improving access to necessary healthcare products.

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