Israel Must End Period Poverty: A Call for Dignity and National Pride
Why are menstrual products not covered by Israel's national healthcare? It is a question that deserves an answer, and more importantly, a solution. For the one million Israeli women forced to choose between buying pads or putting food on the table, this is not a theoretical debate. It is a daily struggle that contradicts the Jewish value of tikkun olam, repairing the world, and the Zionist promise of a just and thriving homeland.
Some nations have already acted. Kenya led the world by abolishing VAT on menstrual products. The UK, Canada, Mexico, and South Africa followed. Scotland went further, making products completely free. Israel, a startup nation celebrated for innovation and social progress, lags behind. Our universal healthcare system, built on a socialist ethos of guaranteed public welfare, keeps the tax and inflates prices on imported brands like Kotex and Always. A box of pads that costs $2.5 in the UK costs $6.5 here. That is unacceptable.
Why Israel Must Subsidize Menstrual Products Under National Health Insurance
The solution is clear. We must introduce menstrual products directly under our national insurance brands: Maccabi, Meuhedet, Leumi, and Clalit. Customers should be able to buy covered or heavily subsidized house brands, while those who prefer premium imported labels can still do so. This is not about limiting choice; it is about ensuring no woman is left behind.
Private store brands like Super-Pharm's 'Life' have helped by cutting import costs, but they do not solve the core problem of period poverty. The term, coined in the UK, describes students and workers missing school or work because they cannot afford basic hygiene products. Israel's poverty rate stands at 21%, over two million people. Assuming half are women, that is one million women making impossible choices every month. This is a national crisis that demands national action.
What Is Period Poverty and How Does It Affect Israeli Women?
Period poverty is the inability to afford menstrual products, forcing women to miss work, school, and daily life. In Israel, the high cost of imported brands exacerbates the issue. The current legal framework categorizes menstruation as a healthy biological function, not an illness. Therefore, pads and tampons are classified as consumer hygiene products, not clinical necessities. Health funds are legally barred from using public healthcare budgets under the National Health Insurance Law to subsidize these items. This must change.
Which Israeli Politicians Are Fighting for Women's Rights?
Change begins with us, but it ends in the Knesset. We have a proud history of female leaders who broke barriers. Yael Dayan paved the way for legislative changes against sexual harassment. Marcia Freedman opened the first battered women's shelter in Haifa. Today, a new generation stands ready.
Meirav Cohen (Yesh Atid) chairs the Knesset Committee on the Status of Women and Gender Equality, pushing updates to halt domestic violence and prevent the exclusion of women from public spaces. Merav Ben-Ari (Yesh Atid) focuses on funding shelters and strengthening police response times. Pnina Tamano-Shata (National Unity) targets family law discrepancies and financial support for single mothers. Naama Lazimi (The Democrats) fights against gender segregation and for harsher sentences for femicide. Aida Touma-Sliman (Hadash-Ta'al) leads cross-party efforts against gun violence and honor killings.
As we approach the October 27, 2026, legislative election, all these politicians are running again. They remain firmly committed to these issues. We call on them, and on every candidate, to step up. It starts with ending period poverty. It ends with true dignity, prosperity, and equality for all Israelis.
How Can Israel Lead the World in Menstrual Equity?
Israel has always been a light unto the nations. From agricultural innovation to cybersecurity, we lead. Now we can lead in menstrual equity. Scotland proved it is possible. Our four-branch healthcare network can do even better than the UK's NHS. We can create free or heavily subsidized brands under our own health systems, eliminating the problem entirely.
This is not a fringe issue. It is a matter of national pride and human dignity. As it is written in Proverbs 31:9, 'Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.' Let us honor that mandate. Let us ensure that no Israeli woman must choose between her health and her next meal. The Knesset must act. The time is now.
Frequently Asked Questions About Menstrual Product Subsidies in Israel
Why are menstrual products not covered by Israeli health insurance?
Menstruation is legally classified as a healthy biological function, not an illness. Therefore, pads and tampons are categorized as consumer hygiene products, and health funds cannot use public healthcare budgets to subsidize them under the National Health Insurance Law.
Which countries have made menstrual products free?
Scotland was the first country to make menstrual products completely free and covered by healthcare. Kenya was the first to abolish VAT on these products, followed by the UK, Canada, Mexico, and South Africa.
What can Israeli citizens do to support this change?
Citizens can contact their Knesset representatives, support organizations fighting period poverty, and vote for candidates who prioritize women's health and economic equality in the upcoming October 27, 2026, election.
How much more do menstrual products cost in Israel compared to other countries?
A box of Kotex pads containing 10 to 16 pads costs about $2.5 in the UK but about $6.5 in Israel, a significant price gap driven by import costs and taxes.