Women activists demanding sanitary products to be free of charge, were arrested in Ankara, the capital city of Turkey on January 18.
“Sanitary towels and tampons are basic necessities, they are not luxury products” said the protestors who were gathered in front of the parliament.
The number of women who are unable to afford sanitary products rose sharply last year due to the economic turmoil in the country.
The commercial products for sanitary products are subject to 18% VAT in Turkey (the highest VAT category) and have increased in price by 58%. The cost of sanitary products for many women in Turkey was already unaffordable (relative to the average wage) and this increase is causing significant further hardship.
