Even in high-income countries like Austria, women struggle to afford sanitary products during menstruation. This issue is commonly known as period poverty. Due to widespread protests in the EU, some European countries like Austria lowered the tax on tampons and other sanitary products. Despite the progress in tackling period poverty in Austria, the problem persists among low-income groups. Innovative businesses and humanitarian organizations are spearheading initiatives with a mission to bring dignified menstrual cycles to all Austrian women.

Targeting Period Poverty in the EU

The humanitarian organization Plan International says period poverty occurs when monthly expenses for period products pose a “financial burden,” leading to a lack of products and adequate hygiene. Over the past few years, studies in EU countries like France, the Netherlands and Germany revealed period poverty and barriers to accessing hygiene products for certain groups in these countries.

In 2007, the European Commission allowed EU countries to lower the tax on feminine hygiene products to as little as 5%. Although some EU countries still tax menstrual products over 20%, the same amount as wine and cigarettes, other countries like Austria opted to lower the tax in response to protests. On Jan. 1, 2021, Austria reduced the tax on menstrual products from 20% to 10%. Before Austria’s policy change, menstrual products were taxed 10% more than unprocessed tobacco and caviar.

The progress in fighting period poverty in Austria is thanks to the combined efforts of activists and independent businesses. One of these businesses is Strawberry Week, which sells organic underwear and period products. Strawberry Week started campaigning in 2016 with an open letter to the Austrian Finance Minister. The group also protested in front of the Ministry of Finance with other activist organizations in late 2019. These activists are part of a growing movement to end period poverty in the EU. It is finding success with signature campaigns, referendums and demonstrations.

Period Poverty Continues in Austria 

According to the OECD Better Life Index, Austria is relatively prosperous and ranks high in living standards. Despite this, Strawberry Week says the costs of monthly period care pose difficulties for Austrians living in poverty. Seventeen percent of the Austrian population is at risk for poverty.

Strawberry Week calculates the average menstruating person in Austria spends 7,000 EUR (over $7,400 USD) on period products and contraception in their lifetime. Although menstrual products are necessary for hygiene, people struggling financially must spend money on food and other essentials before period care.

3 Recent Solutions to Combatting Period Poverty In Austria

Since the tax decrease at the beginning of 2021, humanitarian organizations and activists have implemented several initiatives to reduce period poverty in Austria further.

1. “Red Box” initiative for free period products in Vienna. From October 2021 to January 2022, the German drugstore BIPA provided free menstrual products in several locations in Vienna’s 20th district. This was a pilot project targeting one of the more poverty-stricken areas of Vienna.
2. Strawberry Week Shop and period products for homeless Austrian women. Strawberry Week’s customer purchases recently allowed the organization to provide organic undergarments and pads to homeless women staying at the Haus Miriam shelter. Strawberry Week focuses on sustainable products without synthetic additives for better vaginal health.
3. Free hygiene products in Vorarlberg state schools. In the Austrian province of Vorarlberg, the state parliament voted to provide free sanitary products like pads and tampons to girls in ten state schools. Health spokesperson Nadine Kasper said the new policy is particularly important for young girls underprepared for the onset of their periods. Vorarlberg follows the example of some Austrian universities that provide free products to their students. In a 2023 Strawberry Week survey of 3,568 Austrian university students, 27.6% said their universities provide menstrual products.

Austria is just one example of how people face barriers to accessing basic hygiene products, even in countries that enjoy high living standards. Despite progress in tax policy, organizations like Strawberry Week keep advocating for greater accessibility of menstrual products to eliminate period poverty in Austria.

– Lia Freeman
Photo: Flickr