Mahnoor Omer, a young lawyer in Pakistan, is challenging the government’s taxation policies related to menstrual products, specifically sanitary pads. Her appeal landed in the Lahore High Court. It pushes back against the so-called “period tax,” which levies high taxes and duties on these basic necessary items. To lower the cost of living, the federal government has temporarily exempted “essential goods” from sales tax. Omer thinks it’s discriminatory that sanitary pads are excluded from this category.
Under the current tax regime, sanitary pads are subjected to high taxes that drive the retail price up by as much as 40%. However, this steep cost puts them out of reach for many women, especially those living in rural communities, making it hard to obtain these essential items. UNICEF reveals that exorbitant taxes are a key obstacle to ensuring adequate menstrual hygiene management. Consequently, only 16.2% of women in rural areas are able to purchase sanitary pads.
Omer’s legal action has garnered overwhelming support—over 4,700 people have signed her petition so far. She is empowered by Mahwari Justice, a vibrant, youth-led organization. In addition to connecting people with health resources and education, they work to distribute menstrual products to underserved communities. Together, these organizations hope to use this moment in time to draw attention to the immediate need for change, both in policy and public perception, around menstruation.
Omer said these types of laws need to be changed. He used the opportunity to stress the need for legislative change, either from an accidental or intentional infringement. She further lamented the persistence of gender-blind policies in the face of women holding high office in government.
The “period tax” adds unnecessary financial burdens on women. On top of that, it compounds the economic and social traumas that they are already experiencing. Ahsan Jehangir Khan, a member of the group Mahwari Justice, explained that taxing sanitary products is a form of “indirect gender discrimination.” He further remarked, “If women are being taxed for a biological function, that means they are being robbed of their dignity.”
The fight for hygiene equality around menstruation goes deeper than a touch of societal imagery. A study indicates that one in five girls in Pakistan misses school during menstruation, leading to nearly an entire academic year lost. Four in five girls are embarrassed to talk about their periods. Shockingly, almost half of them never learned anything about menstruation before they began.
The social stigma around menstruation impoverishes millions of women. As Azeema described her ordeal, “I was washing myself…very highly all the time and it [the menstrual flow] wouldn’t stop,” underscoring her embarrassment with unhygienic substitutes. She continued, “And we’re still repurposing these rags. Period products are too expensive.” These testimonies are clear evidence that there is an urgent need for affordable, accessible sanitary products.
As it stands, sanitary pads are considered non-essential and taxed like luxury goods such as perfumes and cosmetics. This harsh classification purposefully misconstrues the essential nature of these products. It further reinforces a societal stigma that makes menstruation seem taboo.
A positive ruling in Omer’s case will help make sanitary pads more affordable. It would go a long way towards normalizing menstruation for society at large. Omer’s finger-wagging was directed at the long-standing taboo and stigma surrounding this subject. The time is now, he said, to continue the conversation in a transparent way about the importance of menstrual health.