-Actionaid Liberia Urges Gov’t to Scrap Menstrual Product Taxes and Stigma
Monrovia: Actionaid Liberia has called for the elimination or significant reduction of tariffs on menstrual hygiene products to improve accessibility for women and girls across the country. The appeal was made during Menstrual Hygiene Day celebrations on May 28, 2025, under the global theme “Together for a Period-Friendly World.”
The event united government officials, activists, and development partners in addressing the economic and social barriers that prevent proper menstrual health management. Advocacy officer Victoria Koiquah, speaking on behalf of ActionAid Liberia’s Country Director Elizabeth Gbah Johnson, emphasized that removing tariffs would provide immediate relief, allowing women and girls to attend school and work without disruption.
She revealed alarming statistics, noting that over 60% of rural schoolgirls lack access to menstrual products, leading to frequent absences. Koiquah also pointed to inadequate sanitation facilities in schools and public spaces as a major challenge. Highlighting the broader implications, she stressed that menstrual health is a matter of gender justice, public health, and economic empowerment.
“Access to menstrual products is a basic human right, yet for many in Liberia, they remain unaffordable due to high import taxes,” Koiquah said. She urged swift action from policymakers while commending the government’s ongoing engagement.
In response, Deputy Gender Minister Laura Golakeh reaffirmed the government’s commitment to menstrual health, announcing a new initiative to establish “pad banks” in schools. These safe spaces will provide free menstrual products to reduce absenteeism and promote education retention.
Golakeh emphasized the need to end stigma, stating, “Menstruation is not a curse—it is natural, and we must normalize discussions around it.” UNFPA’s Gloria Yancy supported the call for policy reform, framing menstrual health as a fundamental human right linked to bodily autonomy.
She warned that poor menstrual hygiene perpetuates gender inequality and called for a multi-faceted approach combining education, infrastructure, and affordability. Similarly, Plan International Liberia’s Albertha Thomas stressed the importance of sustained advocacy, urging year-round action to dismantle taboos.
ActionAid Liberia
ActionAid Liberia (AAL) is a human rights and social justice organization operating in Liberia since 1997 to advance the rights of women, children, young people, excluded and marginalized communities and shift the development paradigm to one that is people-centered, utilizing our human rights-based approach (HRBA) and an intersectional feminist analysis across all programs, campaigns, policy, advocacy and partnerships.
In taking sides with the most excluded, this has meant that AAL is often present in rural and physically hard to reach communities. AAL’s interventions and advocacy are aligned to its solidarity with the struggles of the communities and groups it works with. AAL is known for a non-negotiable stance on human rights, especially as it pertains to the rights of women and the most excluded in the Liberian society.
ActionAid Liberia (AAL) is part of ActionAid International Federation headquartered in Johannesburg with member organizations present in 45 countries around the world, sharing common values and efforts to drive social change towards a more just and sustainable world.
