National Inflation Plan Ignores Menstrual Health

Taxation-free menstrual products were an unprecedented success for menstrual health in Mexico. However, to end period poverty, these products should also be included in President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s anti-inflationary plan, said Deputy Martha Tagle.

The cost of tampons and pads has increased significantly since the beginning of this year, when the tax-free rule entered into force. Palmira Camargo, Vice President of Communication, Essity Latin America, the company that owns the brand of sanitary pads Saba, told Expansión that the company worked internally to make its menstrual hygiene products tax-free as of Jan. 1, but the price of the products was adjusted for inflation.

Inflation in Mexico has steadily increased throughout the year, reaching 7.72 percent during the first half of April 2022, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI). This is its highest level since the second half of Jan. 2001, when inflation reached 7.86 percent. To address the skyrocketing inflation, the government introduced an anti-inflation plan that will set “fair prices” to several products, but the plan leaves out menstrual health products, which continue being affected by increases in the costs of the materials used for their manufacture.

The government’s plan mainly focuses on food security and targets grain production and fertilizer distribution, MBN reported. The plan will also build a strategic corn reserve using resources from the Mexican Food Security (SEGALMEX) organization and guarantee stable prices for corn, beans, rice and milk to strengthen production. Other characteristics include the reinforcement of security on highways to prevent theft of food and supplies and a reduction of tariffs at customs and ports. During six months, customs will apply zero tariffs on the import of basic goods and supplies. Finally, major telecommunication providers Telmex and Telcel will not raise the prices of telephone and internet services for the remainder of the year, according to an official press release.