The Tampon Book by The Female Company: A book against tax discrimination

Our organic tampons have nothing to hide, so why conceal them in a book? They do this to protest against the unfair and sexist taxation on tampons, sanitary pads and other feminine hygiene products. In Germany, these are still considered “luxury goods” and therefore taxed with the top value added tax rate of 19 percent. Meanwhile, actual luxury products such as flowers, truffles or oil paintings are considered daily necessities and earn the reduced rate of only 7 percent. Is this crazy? Yes indeed! Luckily, they’ve found a loophole. Books are also taxed with 7 percent.That’s why their tampons now come as a book, or rather inside a book.

Tampons are a luxury and truffles aren’t? Yes, sadly it’s true. And it gets even more absurd: This is not only the case in Germany. In recent years, the tampon tax has provoked worldwide protests. Countries like India, Kenya and Canada have abolished the tax already. Great job girls! But in Germany, there is still not enough political pressure, even though some parties theoretically support our claim. That’s why we had to get practical. With The Tampon Book, we support a petition on change.org to get rid of the sexist tampon tax once and for all. If you agree that a period is not a luxury (and you will agree if you ever had one) then please support us!

Credits:
Campaign: The Tampon Book
Advertising agency: Scholz & Friends, Berlin
Client: The Female Company
Chief Creative Officer: Matthias Spaetgens
Executive Creative Director: Robert Krause, Oliver Handlos
Creative Director: Malik Benamara, Max Marohn, Sebastian Stelzer
Copywriter: Ilona Hartmann
Graphic Designer: Natalie Krzyz

Tags:
Menstruation, Taboo, Feminism, Product Packaging, Protest