Period poverty is a serious issue in rural Hungary

To this day, many Hungarian women cannot afford basic sanitary items even though these are essential monthly necessities. The lack of access to such products is called period poverty. A new research work shows the extent of period poverty in Hungary.

Feminine hygiene is priceless

In Hungary, women’s sanitary napkins and tampons are subject to a 27 pc VAT rate. This falls under the same category as gasoline, phone or laptop. Due to the high VAT rate, feminine sanitary products are overly expensive. However, no one cares to look into this issue. This is also shown by the fact that the Central Statistical Office (KSH) does not even examine the changes in the consumer price index regarding sanitary items when it compares the average product and service prices, writes napi.hu.

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The average price of tampons varies between HUF 350 and 700 (EUR 1-2), while menstrual pads prices range between HUF 500 to 1000 (EUR 1.5-3).

For many, this is a significant expense. The Red Cross from Girl to Woman Organization conducted a survey on the subject.

Purchasing these basic sanitary products poses an issue for 15 pc of the women and girls aged 14-21 years.

It also turned out that 20 pc of the girls do not choose the products that would be best for them due to financial restraints. The research is not representative. However, the people who conducted it believe that the actual situation is even worse than these figures. This is also supported by the reports of social workers.

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A big issue that noone wants to talk about

Menstruation is often considered taboo, even within the family or at school. Due to that, many times neither the individual nor society takes the issue seriously enough. Educational institutions are required to have an educational talk to students once a year. However, it is not in practise in most rural schools.

Period poverty has been present for generations.

It often happens in poorer regions, that women and girls use alternative products, including rags or tissues, as they cannot afford pads. These methods are not safe, hygienic or sustainable. Házipatika.com adds that pain relief is often a problem as well. In this area, too, education and financial support are the two main obstacles.

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Source: házipatika.com, napi.hu