The House of Representatives, through its Committee on Health, on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 held a crucial engagement with Public Health Initiative Liberia (PHIL) in partnership with WaterAid Liberia -HerWASH Project to discuss the urgent need for the removal of taxes on menstrual health and hygiene (MHM) products.
The roundtable brought together lawmakers, health advocates, and technical experts to examine the impact of period poverty and explore policy options for improving access to menstrual products across Liberia.
Speaking at the session, PHIL Executive Director Joyce Kilipo emphasized that the engagement is part of a broader initiative funded by Global Affairs Canada through WaterAid. She noted that PHIL has been actively working in Grand Cape Mount County and at the national level to promote menstrual health and hygiene.
Kilipo explained that despite being a biological necessity for more than half of Liberia’s population, menstrual products remain unaffordable, inaccessible, and heavily taxed. Currently, menstrual products in Liberia are subject to a 20% import duty and a 10% goods and services tax (GST), as they are categorized under general goods rather than essential health commodities.
“Many girls and women in Liberia, especially those in rural and low-income communities, are forced to use unhygienic alternatives like rags, newspapers, or even leaves due to lack of access,” she said. “This results in infections, missed school days, reduced productivity, and long-term health complications.”
Kilipo further called on lawmakers to: Remove the 20% import duty and 10% GST on menstrual products.
Classify menstrual products as essential health items, similar to rice, medicine, and agricultural inputs.
Promote local production of affordable and eco-friendly sanitary products through budgetary incentives and technical support.
She highlighted that period poverty not only impacts health but also education, gender equality, and economic productivity. According to UNESCO, 1 in 10 girls in sub-Saharan Africa misses school during menstruation, a statistic that reflects Liberia’s own struggles.
Removing taxes on menstrual products, she argued, would align Liberia with over 30 countries, including Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, the UK, and Canada, that have already eliminated such taxes in pursuit of gender justice and public health equity.
In response, Chairperson of the House Committee on Health, Julie F. Wiah, welcomed the initiative and acknowledged the need for legislative action.
“This is a timely and important discussion. As lawmakers, we must ensure that our policies reflect the realities our girls and women face. We will explore the possibility of amending existing tax laws and look to best practices from countries like Sierra Leone, which recently passed a similar law,” Madam Wiah stated.
The lawmakers pledged continued collaboration with civil society organizations and affirmed their commitment to convening further engagements on this critical issue.
The session concluded with a strong consensus that menstrual health is not a luxury, but a basic human right — and addressing period poverty is key to achieving educational equity, public health advancement, and gender equality in Liberia.
