Following a momentous summer of sport and the first ever gender equal Olympics in history, the fight for menstrual equity on and off the pitch continues. WUKA (wuka.co.uk), the female-founded period wear brand renowned for successfully leading the charge on the removal of VAT from period underwear last autumn, is now turning its attention to another period injustice – the 20% tax on period sportswear.
WUKA, which stands for Wake Up Kick Ass, believe that this tax imposes a financial, emotional and social barrier for women – and particularly young girls – who often shy away from physical activity during their periods; research shows 78% of girls avoid sports during their periods.
Backed by three-time Olympian Hannah Miley MBE and a list of period-positive partners and leading organisations in the world of sport including British Elite Athletes Association (BEAA), Scottish Gymnastics, LunaApp, GenM and BASES (British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences) – WUKA’s new #PeriodsAreNotAPenalty campaign urges people to sign their open letter demanding the UK government remove the VAT on period sportswear. Find out how you can support the campaign at: wuka.co.uk/pages/period-pants-tax