The age old debate over social, economic, and political female oppression has evolved drastically over time, creating many branches of ideology surrounding women’s rights. While issues such as abortion, employment opportunities, and social standards remain quite controversial, it is undeniable that women are economically disadvantaged, earning on average 78 cents to every dollar earned by men. Assemblymembers Cristina Garcia and Ling Ling Chang have introduced a bill (AB 1561) that would rightfully end the so-called “tampon tax,” labeling them as the necessity that they are.

Feminine products are about as necessary as toothbrushes. Sure, you can live without them but it is extremely unhygienic and uncomfortable to do so. However, the social stigma regarding menstruation is certainly different from the stigma regarding halitosis. Periods are often not discussed in everyday conversations where men are involved. Women themselves typically have no problem sharing woes about their periods with each other, mourning anything from cramps to mood swings without shame. As women, many of us realize that menstruation is an unavoidable part of life, as inevitable as losing teeth. Men, however, find dealing with menstruation uncomfortable, deeming this necessary physiological process “gross.”

The stigma around menstruation is not simply misogynistic; it aligns with the sexualization of women in society altogether. To be blunt, vaginas are not considered “gross” by most of the male population until they are bleeding. Many men are disgusted with other biological functions as well, such as breastfeeding, while they consider breasts themselves attractive. Our society largely considers female biological functions that do not serve a sexual purpose, that do not please men, appalling.

Society therefore dictates that women must conceal their menstruation to maintain the male consensus that women are simply sexual objects. Women may feel more comfortable with feminine hygiene products but they are not absolutely necessary. However, if women have any hope of succeeding in society, of getting a job, and of maintaining an income, feminine hygiene products are necessary. Employers are generally not inclined to hire women who do not use feminine hygiene products and cater to the needs of men.

However, California women are currently being taxed on feminine hygiene products, as these products are categorized as a “luxury” rather than a necessity. While a few extra cents on tampons may not be more than a slight inconvenience for some women, for those who cannot afford food and shelter feminine hygiene is out of the question, making employment itself out of the question.

But the most outrageous element of the tampon tax is the simple fact that it puts women at an added economic disadvantage to men. Menstruation is unavoidable for women, and with menstruation, taxation is often unavoidable. As Assemblymember Garcia put it, “basically we are being taxed for being women.” Frivolous taxes such as the “tampon tax,” and the unofficial $1,350 tax women are charged on basic items such as clothing, economically suppress women, and may be preventing them from achieving. When women lose money to these taxes, they lose their ability to pay for housing, transportation, clothing, and education, and therefore lose their ability to move towards higher paying jobs, which require certain standards of education and economic status to apply.

For example, in the Utah State Government, men alone will be voting on the controversial “tampon tax” and other bills. Without such unnecessary taxation, women might have a larger influence in the professional sphere, and may have greater representation in governments such as Utah’s.

The “tampon tax” represents more than just a few cents at the drugstore. It represents a culture of female oppression that must come to an end.