Saint Lucia has taken a bold step in addressing period poverty with the approval of legislation permanently exempting menstrual hygiene products from the Value Added Tax (VAT). The reform will allow sanitary pads, tampons, and other related items to no longer be subject to the 12.5 percent levy, leading to a guaranteed reduction in prices across supermarkets, pharmacies and shops island-wide.
The change is expected to provide relief to households at a time when the rising cost of living has placed additional pressure on family budgets. But government officials stress that the measure is about more than economics. For years, advocates have highlighted the social and educational consequences of limited access to menstrual products, particularly for young girls who may skip school when supplies are unavailable or unaffordable.
Complementing the VAT reform, the Government has earmarked $250,000 for schools to procure sanitary products. This allocation is designed to ensure that students have access to free supplies to reduce absenteeism and stigma while promoting greater gender equity in education.
Prime Minister Hon. Philip J. Pierre framed the initiative within his administration’s “people-first philosophy,” presenting the decision as part of a wider commitment to fairness, accessibility, and dignity in policymaking.
The move also aligns Saint Lucia with a growing international push to reduce or eliminate taxes on menstrual products. Countries such as Scotland, Kenya, and Canada have taken similar steps, framing menstrual health as a matter of human rights.
While questions of implementation remain—such as ensuring retailers pass on the full savings to consumers—the legislation represents a landmark moment in the island’s social policy landscape.