In Pakistan, many women and girls struggle to afford sanitary products. Only about 12 percent of them use manufactured pads and tampons. Taxes account for a significant portion of their cost, according to UNICEF, which estimates taxes contribute to around 40 percent of the price.
To address this issue, Pakistan plans to remove the 18 percent sales tax on menstrual products starting in July. The country’s finance minister, Muhammad Aurangzeb, announced this change, calling these products “indispensable for women’s health, dignity, and full participation in social activities.”
Women and rights activists see the tax removal as an important step for menstrual health rights. This decision comes after a nationwide conversation initiated last year. An activist’s lawsuit against the government challenged the taxes on sanitary products, leading to this policy change.
Despite being the fifth most populous country, Pakistan lags behind countries like India, where 36 percent of menstruating individuals use commercial products. The challenge persists in increasing access to menstrual products and reducing stigma. In rural areas and conservative families, women often rely on unhygienic rags. UNICEF notes one in five girls misses school due to menstruation, highlighting the severity of period poverty.
“There is a period poverty crisis in Pakistan,” states Mahnoor Omer, a 25-year-old activist and lawyer. She pushed the discussion forward with a legal petition, seeking to have sanitary products declared essential. Her efforts recognized her as one of Time magazine’s “women of the year.” The court is expected to rule on her petition later this year.
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