Mahnoor Omer, a Pakistani lawyer, has filed an important petition in the Lahore High Court challenging the extremely high tax imposed on sanitary pads. Currently, sanitary pads in Pakistan carry a 40% tax, making them expensive and difficult for many women to afford.
In her petition, Mahnoor argues that this heavy tax is unfair and discriminates against women. She believes it violates fundamental constitutional rights, including the rights to equality, dignity, and social justice. Since menstruation is a natural biological process that affects half the population, taxing essential hygiene products so heavily creates unnecessary hardship for women.
Mahnoor has launched a campaign called the “Period Tax Fight” to raise awareness about this issue. Her campaign highlights the serious struggles that millions of Pakistani women face in accessing basic menstrual hygiene products due to their high cost.
The statistics are alarming. Studies reveal that only 12% of Pakistani women can afford to use commercial sanitary pads. This means the vast majority of women—88%—must rely on cloth or homemade alternatives during their periods. Using such alternatives can create significant health risks, including infections and other medical complications.
The high tax makes sanitary pads a luxury item rather than a basic necessity. For poor and middle-class families, spending money on expensive sanitary products becomes difficult when they’re struggling to afford food and other essentials.
Mahnoor’s petition seeks to remove or significantly reduce this tax, making sanitary pads affordable and accessible to all women. Her legal action represents an important step toward menstrual equity and women’s health rights in Pakistan.
