A petition calling for an end to the “tampon tax” in Australia has received thousands of signatures in two days.

University student Subeta Vimalarajah created the petition titled “stop taxing my period” and addressed it to Australia’s Federal Treasurer, Joe Hockey. In Australia, Goods and Services Tax (GST) is charged on sanitary items that women require on a monthly basis.

“How can a bodily function be taxed?” the petition asks, rhetorically. “Because the government doesn’t consider the tampons and pads we’re forced to buy every few weeks ‘necessary’ enough to be GST-free.”

It highlights other items that are classified as important health goods and therefore are exempt from GST, such as condoms, lubricants, sunscreen and nicotine patches. Vimalarajah highlighted the cost of the female products, and the burden this expense is for those in the poorer sections of society.

“People who get periods don’t buy pads and tampons for pleasure, so why are we forced to fork out an extra 10% every 2, 3, 4 weeks? Taxing Australians for getting their period isn’t just sexist, it’s fundamentally unfair!” the petition states.

The public is in agreement, with the petition almost hitting its 7,000 signature goal in under 48 hours. Backer Shauna wrote: “I bleed and I vote,” while Shania agreed: “[It’s] not like we choose to get the bloody thing.” Joshua was straight forward, “It’s the right thing to do,” he wrote.

Vimalarajah calls on Hockey to use the upcoming GST review to remove the tax from women’s sanitary products.

She says she wants Australians to tell Hockey “loud and clear that a period is not a luxury or societal burden, it is an aspect of reproductive health.” Amen, sister.

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