A bill has been submitted to parliament, seeking to repeal the tax on sanitary pads and tampons.

The bill was submitted by Kurendhoo constituency MP Abdul Baaree Abdulla, on Monday.

Slashing Goods and Service Tax (GST) on sanitary products is one of the pledges made by incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih during his presidential campaign, to be completed within the first week in office.

It is also included in the ruling coalition’s manifesto, which vows to cut GST on such essential products.

There is currently a six percent GST on sanitary products.

Back in 2016, a petition was launched online asking the parliament and the government to repeal the tax; over 500 people had signed the petition. Those that led the campaign emphasized that 'menstruating is not a luxury for women'.