Ethiopia stabilizes supply and cost of feminine hygiene products following their shortage
This initiative aims to reduce period poverty among the Ethiopian people.
ETHIOPIA – Ethiopia’s Ministry of Women and Social Affairs has announced a series of new measures to address the ongoing shortage and high cost of sanitary pads, which have become a significant barrier for millions of women and girls across the country.
The ministry is responding to growing concerns that many local manufacturers have shut down due to low profitability, leading to reduced availability and soaring prices of essential menstrual hygiene products.
The government has moved to exempt sanitary pads from Value Added Tax (VAT), classifying them as essential health items to ensure they are sold at lower prices in pharmacies and retail outlets.
Authorities are cracking down on manufacturers and distributors who hoard products to inflate prices, aiming to stabilize supply and prevent artificial shortages.
The ministry is collaborating with international partners, including the French Embassy and the French Development Agency (AFD), to boost local production, improve supply chains, and support sustainable solutions such as reusable pads.
Free distribution of sanitary pads is prioritized for schoolgirls and women in vulnerable communities, with initiatives such as the Adey Washable Sanitary Pads program already providing reusable options to over 300,000 female students.
The crisis is rooted in multiple factors: persistent foreign exchange shortages, high import costs, disrupted domestic manufacturing, and ongoing regional conflicts that have strained supply routes and driven up prices.
In some areas, particularly conflict-affected regions like Amhara, menstrual hygiene had become a significant challenge, with local health posts operating with minimal supplies and market prices tripling compared to pre-conflict levels.
These new measures are seen as a critical step toward addressing period poverty and improving the health, dignity, and educational outcomes of Ethiopian women and girls.
However, experts note that alongside product availability, education and awareness about menstrual hygiene remain vital to ensure lasting change and break the stigma surrounding menstruation.
The government’s actions reflect a growing recognition of menstrual hygiene as a fundamental health and human rights issue, with continued collaboration and innovative solutions needed to ensure sustainable access for all.
According to a report by Market Research Future, the Ethiopian feminine hygiene products market is valued at approximately USD 215.43 million in 2025 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.29% between 2025 and 2029.
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