Ethiopian Women’s Federation Seeks Tax Cuts to Reduce Sanitary Product Prices

July 27, 2026
By Mintesinot Nigussie

The Ethiopian Women’s Federation is pushing for tax measures to reduce the cost of women’s sanitary products, including removing duties on imported products and lowering taxes on raw materials used by domestic manufacturers. The federation said the measures are intended to improve access to sanitary products for rural women and vulnerable students, who have been affected by rising prices and limited availability.

According to a report by Ahadu Radio, the organisation is working with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs to advance the proposed measures. Genet Seyoum, director-general of the federation, said the two sides had reached an agreement to work together on addressing the high cost of sanitary products. The federation has also formed a structure involving experts to support its engagement on the issue and is raising the matter at national forums to encourage wider discussions.

The proposed interventions include allowing imported sanitary products to enter the country free of tax or with lower tax rates, while providing similar relief for raw materials required by local producers. The move follows an earlier initiative led by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs to exempt imported sanitary products from taxes and make them available at lower prices. However, the measure has not yet been implemented.

The federation said it will continue working to improve the affordability and quality of locally produced sanitary products, while ensuring women and female students have better access to hygiene materials. It added that preventing school interruptions linked to a lack of sanitary products remains one of its priorities.

Source: FSX Business News