In 2019, the government of Rwanda removed Value Added Tax (VAT) on sanitary pads to make them more affordable for girls and women. But despite the move, prices have recently gone up. Pads that used to cost Rwf700–800 now sell for Rwf1,000–1,200. Some popular brands are no longer available, while new products have appeared on the market, selling for around Rwf1,500. ALSO READ: Beyond the pad: Breaking barriers to menstrual health and equality Speaking to The New Times, the minister of trade and industries Prudence Sebahizi confirmed that his office has been closely monitoring the market. “The ministry is aware of the challenges affecting the pricing and availability of sanitary pads and is actively working to address them through continuous market monitoring and strategic interventions,” he said. “One significant challenge is the scarcity of popular brands such as Super Sanitary Pads, locally produced by Safari Centre, whose daily production capacity of 450 boxes sometimes falls short of meeting high consumer demand,” he added. ALSO READ: Period poverty: Activists on improving access to menstrual hygiene services and products He explained that the government collects regular data on prices and availability of commodities, including sanitary pads, to track trends and identify underlying issues. He clarified that the VAT exemption alone cannot guarantee stable or lower prices. Other economic forces are at play. “Prices can still rise due to several key economic factors,” he said. “The cost of raw materials like cotton and pulp, which are often imported, fluctuates on the global market, and changes in international prices or currency exchange rates directly affect local production and supply costs.” He further noted that transportation and fuel costs have climbed, pushing logistics expenses higher and eventually trickling down to the consumer. Another factor, according to him, is limited market competition. With a few dominant brands such as Super Sanitary Pads, Always, and Everytime enjoying strong consumer loyalty, distributors and retailers have more room to increase profit margins without losing significant demand. ALSO READ: Breaking the silence: Menstrual health and hygiene as a catalyst for gender equality To address the issue, the ministry is combining regulatory oversight with market-based strategies. Regular inspections are being carried out to monitor pricing practices across the supply chain, ensuring that corrective measures are taken wherever unfair pricing is detected. At the same time, the government is encouraging higher local production and improving distribution systems to guarantee that pads are accessible countrywide at fairer prices. “To bridge the supply gap, a range of affordable, locally manufactured alternatives are distributed nationwide by companies such as Beijing Paper Corporation, Agile Deer Paper Co Ltd, Bonjour Hygiene Products, INNOVOS, JAIL Industry, and Bazile Industry,” Sebahizi explained. He added that the Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) rigorously tests all sanitary pads, both imported and locally produced, with certified products carrying the S-Mark as proof of meeting international quality standards. ALSO READ: Call for efforts to break menstrual hygiene taboos Beyond regulation, Rwanda has rolled out policies to make sanitary products more accessible, especially for schoolgirls. In partnership with development organisations, the ministry of education and the ministry of gender and family promotion provide free sanitary pads in schools. Such efforts also include menstrual hygiene packages and the establishment of dedicated “girls’ rooms,” particularly in rural areas.
