Women protest in front of ministry: ‘Sanitary pads must be free in Turkey’

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Amid increasing prices of sanitary pads and other menstrual and hygiene products in Turkey, the Women's Defense Network has submitted a petition to the Ministry of Treasury and Finance and requested that sanitary pads be offered free of charge in the country.

As reported by JinNews women's news agency, after submitting the petition, women held a press statement in front of the Ministry.

Reading out the statement on behalf of the Network, Döndü Kurşunoğlu raised concerns over the economic crisis in Turkey and recalled that high taxes have been the case even for basic necessities.

Underlining that the prices of hygiene products have also increased by 51.4 percent in Turkey, Kurşunoğlu said:

"The prices of birth control pills and morning after pills keep increasing. 63 percent of women cannot access sanitary pads. This rate has hit 82 percent with the outbreak of the pandemic. One out of every 10 students cannot access sanitary pads and cannot continue education for this reason. Diapers and disposable underpads for patients are not any different."

Referring further to the effects of the economic crisis on women, she noted, "When we want to have an abortion, there is a de facto ban in public hospitals while exorbitant prices are asked in private hospitals."

"All in all, this is how women are made to pay the price for the economic crisis. While the state and the capital give decisions about our bodies and lives, we are marginalized from our own labor and body," added Kurşunoğlu further and raised concerns that women's right to healthcare, the conditions of a humane life and right to education are being hindered:

"In fact, all these are a reflection of gender inequality. This is what we, women, go through as the ones disregarded in the public space and considered to belong to the private space, so, to home.

"But we do not accept it. We have been making efforts for days to access our most basic needs and to ensure that pads are free.

We know that free pads are possible. The state must stop serving the interests of the capital and take urgent steps to ensure that women access their most basic needs.

"Price increases must be withdrawn and pads must be free of charge. Pads must be accessible in public places for those who menstruate. We submit our petitions today and expect answers to our questions.

"We also make a call to all women, women's organizations, institutions and everyone who struggles to lead a humane life: You may apply to the Presidency's Communication Center (CİMER) by using the petitions that we have and will be opened to access on the Internet, thereby raising your voice and request for accessing sanitary pads free of charge." (EMK/SD)