Category Archives: Women and Economics

CFP: It’s a Man’s World: Revealing and Addressing Hidden Gender Bias in Tax Law and Policy

American Tax Policy Institute Research Roundtable and Symposium It’s a Man’s World: Revealing and Addressing Hidden Gender Bias in Tax Law and Policy Expressions of interest due March 31, 2024 Program October 17-18, 2024, Washington DC The American Tax Policy Institute is pleased … Continue reading

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Which Countries Have Scrapped the Tampon Tax?

Writing for Reuters, author Diana Baptista has a nice summary here. An excerpt: Since Kenya became the first country to scrap VAT on sanitary pads and tampons in 2004, at least 17 countries have followed suit, according to research by … Continue reading

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The Macroeconomic Cost of Menopause? $1.8 bn in the US Alone

There is a new study from the Mayo Clinic, here: Impact of Menopause Symptoms on Women in the Workplace. The NY Times has a nice write-up here (paywall; sorry): Menopause costs American women an estimated $1.8 billion in lost working time … Continue reading

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Gender-Based Price Discrimination in Germany

For anyone doing comparative anti-discrimination work, a fact sheet (here) prepared by Iris an der Heiden and Maria Wersig and published by the German Federal Anti-Discrimination Agencyprovides insight into gender-based price discrimination. Here is a summary: The survey systematically examines … Continue reading

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States Where Schools Are Required to Provide Menstrual Products

There’s an interactive map over here at Aunt Flo. Some state legislation is more (or less) comprehensive. And in related news, USA Today reports here that the Department of Education is considering making menstrual product provision part of schools’ Title … Continue reading

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How Much Would It Cost to Put “Free” Tampons and Pads in All School Bathrooms in the US? $60 Million a Year

I have previously blogged here, here, and here with speculation about how much it costs for schools to provide “free” menstrual products in bathrooms. Based on actual data from the Cambridge (MA) Public Schools, the figure appears to be approximately … Continue reading

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Who Benefits from #TamponTax Repeal? In Germany, Consumers Do

A UK study suggests that consumers there did not benefit from repeal of the tampon tax (see here).  A new study out of Germany suggests contrary results in that country. Here is the abstract of VAT Pass-Through: The Case of … Continue reading

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The Gender Wealth Gap in Retirement Savings: A German Case Study

Carla Cardova (Pomona College), Markus Grabka (German Institute for Economic Research — DIW Berlin) & Eva Sierminska (LISER; DIW Berlin) have posted to SSRN their working paper, Pension Wealth and the Gender Wealth Gap. Here is the abstract: We examine … Continue reading

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Who Benefits From #Tampon Tax Repeal? Not Consumers, Says New Report

A copy of the report by the (UK) Tax Policy Associates is here. Some highlights: 5% VAT applied to tampons and other menstrual products until January 2021. Then, following the high-profile “tampon tax” campaign, it was abolished. Many expected that … Continue reading

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The Contribution of Shareholder Primacy to the Racial Wealth Gap @lenorepalladino @rooseveltinst

Lenore Palladino (Roosevelt Institute) has posted a working paper, The Contribution of Shareholder Primacy to the Racial Wealth Gap. Here is an excerpt: I find a Black–white ratio of 0.013 and a Hispanic–white ratio of 0.016 for total shareholder payments … Continue reading

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The Discourse of Tampon Tax Repeal

Proving that there is a Foucauldian approach to just about everything, Shu-Chien Chen (Erasmus University Rotterdam) has posted to SSRN Discourses in the Tampon Tax Campaign, 2022 Analize: Journal of Gender & Feminist Studies 114. Here is the abstract: The … Continue reading

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What Does Tax Law Have to Do with Racial Inequality?

Quite a bit. For those who would like to know more, the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy has issued a new report on The Geographic Distribution of Extreme Wealth in the U.S. Here are a few of the report’s … Continue reading

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Iowa Poised to Repeal its Tampon Tax

Iowa appears poised to repeal its state sales tax on menstrual products. The Iowa legislature passed Senate File 2367, which also repeals the state sales tax in diapers and adult incontinence pads and treats as tax-free income a governor-declared retention … Continue reading

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The Tampon Shortage is Real

And what happens when there are supply-chain problems, staffing shortages and more? Companies jack up the prices. That’s capitalism — not just menstrual capitalism. Of course, what makes the shortage of menstrual products especially salient is that alternative products (like … Continue reading

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Paudel & Shah on the Relationship Between Menstrual Discrimination and Child Marriage

The Global South Coalition for Dignified Menstruation andRadha Paudel Foundation have published a report by Radha Paudel and Noor Jung Shah, Isn’t Menstrual Discrimination a Driver for Child Marriage. Here is the abstract: This study is undertaken to examine the … Continue reading

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Evaluating Menstrual Leave as a Viable Workplace Policy

Marian Baird (University of Sydney Business School), Elizabeth Hill (Political Economy, University of Sydney) and Sydney Colussi (University of Sydney Business School) have published their article Mapping Menstrual Leave Legislation and Policy Historically and Globally: A Labor Entitlement to Reinforce, … Continue reading

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#PeriodTok is #MenstrualCapitalism in Disguise (and Period Underwear May Not be as Safe as You Think)

In an article for the New York Times, Menstruation Gets a Gen Z Makeover, writer Pooja Makhijani shines a light on the the stigma-busting, shame-free ways that some young people are talking about menstruation. She writes: Members of Gen Z … Continue reading

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Free Menstrual Products for 141 Middle Schools in Loire, France

Via the podcast Nova, this news of a program in the Loire-Atlantique region of France to make menstrual products available for free in 141 middle schools: Après une expérimentation de plusieurs mois dans quelques établissements, la mesure est étendue sur … Continue reading

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Menopause and the Law: 3 Forthcoming Articles Exploring Intersections of Gender, Age, Disability

Emily Gold Waldman (Pace), Naomi Cahn (UVA) and I have just posted to SSRN three working papers on menopause and the law. We had so much to say that we needed three articles to do it! Here they are: Contextualizing … Continue reading

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Will Colorado be the Next State to Repeal the #TamponTax?

Watch out for legislation coming in 2022.  The Denver Post has a story here.

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Michigan Repeals the Tampon Tax

The Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s announcement is here.

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Michigan on Target to Repeal #Tampon Tax

From the AP (here): The Michigan Senate on Tuesday passed legislation that would eliminate the so-called “tampon tax” on menstrual products, sending it to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer who is expected to sign it into law. Michigan would join over 20 … Continue reading

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New Italian Budget Still Discriminates in the Form of Tampon Taxes

In world news (here), the draft budget for 2022 in Italy still endorses gender discrimination in the form of the tampon tax, but decreases the VAT from 22% to 10%. Governments continue to generate money from the literal bodies of … Continue reading

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Oregon Legislature Passes “Menstrual Dignity Act”

Oregon HB 3294, the Menstrual Dignity Act, passed both houses of the state legislature and now heads to the governor’s desk for signature. The bill provides access to free menstrual products in schools. There’s a short, easy-to-read description of the … Continue reading

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Free Period Products Coming to Public Bathrooms in Santa Clara County, California

In March, the Santa Clara (California) County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to stock half of all public restrooms in county facilities. News coverage here and here. Students at Stanford are now calling on their University to follow suit. See … Continue reading

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What’s Wrong (or Right) About Workplace Menstrual Leave Policies

From the University of Sydney, this news of a working group studying workplace menstrual leave policies: [R]esearchers found in a forthcoming paper that 17 countries have implemented or are considering menstrual policies, with Australian businesses leading the way. “Despite this … Continue reading

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Michoacán, Mexico Makes Menstrual Products Free Schools and Requires Menstruation-Related Education

Earlier this year Michoacán became the first state in Mexico to require schools to provide free menstrual products to students and to require menstruation-related education in schools.  The original legislative proposal is here (in Spanish). Additional news coverage is here … Continue reading

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Uruguay’s VAT on Menstrual Products is a Form of Gender Discrimination

Erika Johanna Lara-Vargas has published El Impuesto de Valor Agregado (IVA) en los productos de gestión menstrual en Uruguay: políticas públicas “neutras” al género vs feminismo estatal, in Revista Límbica Vol. II Núm. 2 (2021), ISSN 2718-7241.  Here’s the English-language … Continue reading

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Period Poverty, Menstrual Equity, Menstrual Justice, or Menstrual Health: Naming the Norms That Legal Scholars Seek

If 2015 was the “Year the Period Went Public,” maybe we’re now in the period period,  catamenial decennary, or menstrual age. Whatever words we use, it’s undeniable that menstruation-related issues have gained new traction in public discourse, academic scholarship, workplaces, … Continue reading

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What’s New in FemTech? You Can Find Out for $4,950

A market research company owned by Berkshire Hathaway has published a report called The COVID-19 Pandemic and a Rising Focus on Women’s Untapped Healthcare Needs are Transforming the Global Femtech Solutions Industry. To learn all about this, one needs only … Continue reading

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Findings from the “State of the Period 2021” Report

Thinx and PERIOD, a non-profit menstrual equity organization, has issued its State of the Period 2021 report. This follows up on a similar report issued in 2019. Here are some salient findings, all of which are direct quotes from the … Continue reading

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The SPOT Period: Philadelphia Non-Profit’s “Menstrual Hub” Addresses Period Poverty — It’s an Actual Building!

In February, 2021, the nonprofit organization No More Secrets Mind Body Spirit, Inc., founded by Lynette Medley, opened The SPOT Period, a physical gathering place that offers free menstrual products, menstruation-related counseling and education, a computer lab with three machines.  … Continue reading

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Menstrual Equity Advocate Dana Brooks Named One of “25 Women You Need to Know” by Tallahassee Democrat Newspaper

Florida attorney Dana Brooks has been named as one of the “25 Women You Need to Know” by the Tallahassee Democrat (here). Here is an excerpt from the Tallahassee paper’s profile: Brooks began her career in clinical social work, but … Continue reading

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Gov’t in New South Wales, Australia to Provide Free Menstrual Products in 30 Schools

The government in New South Wales, Australia has announced a pilot program to provide free menstrual products in 30 government schools. Here is an excerpt from the government press release: Free menstrual hygiene products will be available to students in … Continue reading

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A New Environmentally-Friendly Banana Fiber Menstrual Pad Coming to a Store Near You?

India-based researchers Krishnashree Achuthan, Sharanya Muthupalani, Vysakh Kani Kolil, Anju Bist, Krishna Sreesuthan & Aswathy Sreedevi have published the results of their study: A Novel Banana Fiber Pad for Menstrual Hygiene in India: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study, 21 BMC … Continue reading

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13 Short Symposium Essays in Connection with “Are You There, Law? It’s Me, Menstruation?” @ColumbiaJGL

On April 9/10, 2021, the Columbia Journal of Gender & Law will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the publication of Judy Blume’s book, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret and the 30th anniversary of the journal with a symposium … Continue reading

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Posted in Feminism and Culture, Feminism and the Workplace, Feminist Legal History, Feminist Legal Scholarship, Law Teaching, Race and Racism, Sisters In Other Nations, Socioeconomic Class, Upcoming Conferences, Women and Economics, Women's Health | Comments Off on 13 Short Symposium Essays in Connection with “Are You There, Law? It’s Me, Menstruation?” @ColumbiaJGL

Montclair (NJ) High School Students Prevented from Placing Donated Menstrual Products in School Restrooms

A couple of years ago, students at Montclair High School in Montclair, New Jersey began placing in school bathrooms various menstrual products they gathered through school-wide tampon and pad donation drives. By all accounts, the project seems to have been well-received by teachers … Continue reading

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Giorkaris & Pouliasi on “Tampon Taxes and Gender (In)Equality: The Cyprus Case Study”

Dr Ioannis P. Giokaris (University of Nicosia) and Maria Eleni Pouliasi (O.P. Jindal Global University) have published To Tax or Not to Tax? Tampon Taxes and Gender (In)Equality: The Cyprus Case Study, 21 Cyprus Rev. 257 (2020). Here is the … Continue reading

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Germany Lowers its #TamponTax but Still Discriminates

Following the model of online campaigns against the tampon tax in the U.K., Canada, Australia, and the U.S., in March 2018, two German women launched a petition at Change.org urging “Die Periode ist kein Luxus – senken Sie die Tamponsteuer!” … Continue reading

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Michigan Governor Proposes Budget That Will Allow Repeal of State’s Tampon Tax

Back in August, the team over at Period Equity filed a class action law suit challenging the constitutionality of Michigan’s sales tax on menstrual products and seeking a refund (with interest) for prior taxes paid by approximately 2.4 million consumers. … Continue reading

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“Young Australian of the Year” Isobel Marshall Honored for Menstrual Equity Work

Every year in Australia, the non-profit (and government owned) National Australia Day Council gives several awards: Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Australia’s Local Hero. The awards are meant to serve … Continue reading

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Copenhagen Business School Colloquium on “Gender Equality Aspects Amid a Pandemic: Discussions on Tax Measures and Fiscal Policy”

The Interdisciplinary Research Group on Taxation and Fiscal Policy at the Copenhagen Business School is sponsoring a 9-part colloquium series featuring researchers from around the world. On February 17, 2021, the session is “Gender Equality Aspects Amid a Pandemic: Discussions … Continue reading

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Jennifer Weiss-Wolf, “The Fight for Menstrual Equity Continues in 2021”

Jennifer Weiss-Wolf (NYU Brennan Center and Period Equity) has published a new op-ed in Marie Claire. Here’s what she calls “the five menstrual equity policies we should commit to fighting for in 2021:” End the Tampon Tax Across the U.S. … Continue reading

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#BlackTaxpayersMatter: Intersection of Race, Tax Systems, Laws and Enforcement

#BlackTaxpayersMatter: Intersection of Race, Tax Systems, Laws and Enforcement Date: Friday, February 5, 2021 Time: 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. EST Format: Free non-CLE Webinar Sponsor: ABA Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice Co-Sponsors: ABA Center for Human Rights, … Continue reading

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Bye-Bye U.K Tampon Tax

Global Citizen has a good write-up here about the elimination of VAT on menstrual products, coincident with Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union, as of January 1, 2021. Other than Ireland, all other EU countries impose a VAT on menstrual … Continue reading

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Austria Lowered Its Tampon Tax But Missed an Opportunity to Eliminate Its Discriminatory Law

The Austria Federal Council (the upper house of the country’s parliament) has approved the COVID-19 Tax Measures Act. See here. Apart from the extension of the lower 5% VAT tax on certain sectors (such as hospitality) and the creation of … Continue reading

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This Week in #MenstrualEquity News

This week in menstrual equity news from around the world…. The Scottish Parliament passed a bill making menstrual products available at no charge to all who need them. Products will be in all schools (including university) and the government can … Continue reading

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New Article: “Period Poverty in a Pandemic: Harnessing Law to Achieve Menstrual Equity”

Emily Gold Waldman (Pace) and I have posted to SSRN a draft of our article Period Poverty in a Pandemic: Harnessing Law to Achieve Menstrual Equity, 98 Wash. U. L. Rev. (forthcoming 2021). Here is the abstract: Period poverty is … Continue reading

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New Class Action to Tampon Tax in Michigan

In case you missed it, there is a new lawsuit challenging the Michigan state sales tax on menstrual products. The Detroit News has a story (here). Emily Beggs, Clare Pfeiffer and Wei Ho are seeking class action status on behalf of … Continue reading

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New Book Announcement: Palgrave Handbook of Critical Menstruation Studies

Here is the publisher’s description of the newly-published Palgrave Handbook of Critical Menstruation Studies (Bobel, C., Winkler, I.T., Fahs, B., Hasson, K.A., Kissling, E.A., Roberts, T.-A. eds.) : This open access handbook, the first of its kind, provides a comprehensive … Continue reading

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