Supermarket cuts price of sanitary pads

Nica Schreuder

Shoprite supermarket chains throughout South Africa have responded to the current financial woes facing citizens. Their solution to one of many groups of people that are now more disadvantaged than before is to drastically reduce the price of Ultrex sanitary pads.

The retailer released a statement last week explaining that this is not only a short-term solution, “but a commitment by Shoprite to provide its customers with greater access to affordable basic hygiene products and necessities”.

All Ultrex range sanitary pads will now be retailing tax-free for R10.99, an amount that is, on average, 50% more affordable than other brands.

Female hygiene products such as sanitary pads and tampons are one of many items suggested by a panel of experts appointed by the National Treasury to be VAT-free.

Other items include white bread and flour, school uniforms and nappies.

Pink Tax, or gender discriminatory pricing on products ranging from soap to razor blades, is something that has been investigated by various panels. Women pay approximately 13% more for personal care items.

According to Money Matters, sanitary pads and tampons fall under this bracket because they are deemed “luxury items” – something that every women will dispute.

To add fuel to this argument, women on average earn less than men, but are known to have significantly more expenses.

While the debate over Pink Tax rages on, Shoprite’s decision to make one brand of sanitary pads tax free has been hailed as a positive start to help disadvantaged women retain their dignity during their menstrual cycles.

This is especially important for girls who are still attending school, as their menstrual cycles often disrupt their attendance.

In 2016, there were 2.6 million girls aged nine to 20 in South Africa, and many of these miss weeks of school due to their periods.

According to research, items such as rags and leaves are used instead of tampons or pads.

Equal Education (EE) conducted an audit in March and April in Gauteng this year, and it revealed that in 30% of the high schools audited, 40% had no access to either toilet paper or sanitary pads.

A commitment by Shoprite to provide its customers with greater access to affordable basic hygiene products and necessities.

Shoprite supermarket chains’ statement