Young Lawyer Challenges Pakistan’s 40% “Period Tax” on Sanitary Pads — A Fight for Women’s Dignity and Equality

A 25-year-old lawyer from Rawalpindi, Mahnoor Omer, has taken a brave legal stand that could reshape how Pakistan treats women’s health needs. She has gone to court against what she calls the “period tax” — a 40% tax burden on sanitary pads that makes this basic hygiene product unaffordable for millions of women.

Her petition at the Lahore High Court challenges the country’s taxation laws, arguing that they discriminate against women and violate constitutional rights to dignity, equality, and social justice.

---

Understanding the 40% Tax on Sanitary Pads in Pakistan

In Pakistan, sanitary pads are subject to up to 40% taxation, which includes an 18% sales tax on local products and around 25% customs tax on imported products or their raw materials. This high tax makes sanitary products a luxury for many, instead of a necessity.

For a country where the average monthly income is around $120, the price of a 10-pack of branded sanitary pads (approximately Rs. 450 or $1.60) is a heavy expense. For many women, especially those from lower-income families, buying pads regularly is simply not possible.

---

The Struggle Behind Mahnoor’s Petition

Growing up in Rawalpindi, Mahnoor recalls the shame and secrecy that surrounded menstruation. She remembers hiding pads up her sleeve just to avoid embarrassment.
“I used to hide my pad up my sleeve like I was smuggling drugs,” she said. Teachers avoided the topic, and one classmate once told her pads were “a waste of money.”

That comment stayed with her. “If middle-class families think this way,” Mahnoor questioned, “what about those who can’t afford pads at all?”

In September 2025, she finally took a step that few dared filing a constitutional petition against the government, seeking to remove taxes on sanitary products and push for menstrual equity.

---

Period Poverty in Pakistan — The Hidden Crisis

According to a 2024 study by UNICEF and WaterAid, only 12% of Pakistani women use commercial sanitary pads. The rest depend on cloth, rags, or other unsafe materials. Many lack access to clean water and hygiene facilities, increasing their risk of infections.

In rural areas, menstrual stigma runs deep. A 2023 study by Frontiers in Public Health revealed that eight in ten Pakistani girls feel embarrassed discussing menstruation, and two-thirds learn about it only after their first period. This leads to poor hygiene practices, missed school days, and even dropping out altogether.

---

Women’s Voices Supporting the Movement

Mahnoor’s legal action has inspired many activists and organizations. Bushra Mahnoor, founder of Mahwari Justice, recalls growing up in Attock, where she and her four sisters often had to ration pads. Shame and punishment surrounded menstruation.
“No one told me how to use a pad,” she shared. “I stuck it upside down once. It was painful. That shame never leaves you.”

Similarly, Hira Amjad, founder of the Dastak Foundation, emphasizes that the period tax adds an economic barrier to an already stigmatized issue.
“In most homes, men control household finances,” she explained. “When pads are expensive, they’re seen as unnecessary even though they are essential.”

Amjad believes that removing the tax could make menstrual products affordable, leading to better school attendance and overall health for women.

---

Why Removing the Period Tax Matters

The period tax is not just about money it’s about equality and human rights. When essential products are treated as luxury items, it sends a message that women’s health doesn’t matter.

Countries like Kenya, India, and the UK have already eliminated taxes on menstrual products, recognizing them as basic necessities. Pakistan, however, still lags behind.

If Mahnoor’s case succeeds, it could set a new precedent for menstrual rights in the country and bring hope to millions of women struggling silently every month.

---

The Bigger Picture — From Stigma to Empowerment

Beyond the courtroom, Mahnoor’s case has sparked a national conversation about menstrual health, dignity, and awareness. Schools and NGOs are beginning to include menstrual hygiene in their health programs, and more women are speaking up about their experiences.

Her message is simple but powerful:
“It’s not me versus the government,” she said. “It feels like women versus Pakistan. This fight is for every girl who hides her pad and every woman who can’t afford one.”

Mahnoor’s courage has already made a difference by challenging the stigma and pushing Pakistan to recognize that menstrual health is not a privilege, it’s a right.