25-year-old lawyer, Mahnoor Omer, from Pakistan is fiercely fighting for women’s rights. She has petitioned the Lahore High Court to challenge the controversial taxes imposed on sanitary pads. Under the current tax structure, an 18% sales tax, as well as a 25% customs tax, is levied on imported sanitary products. Omer contends that such taxes are discriminatory and violate constitutional provisions requiring equality and dignity for all citizens. Joining her in this legal fight is Ahsan Jehangir Khan, another lawyer and women’s rights activist.
Omer’s commitment to this cause stems from her personal experiences and longstanding dedication to women’s and minority rights. At just 16 years old, she began assembling “dignity kits” for women in low-income neighborhoods in Islamabad, fostering a profound understanding of the challenges these women face. Her work continued as she volunteered at Aurat March, an annual movement promoting women’s rights, held across Pakistan each year on International Women’s Day.
Though the case has difficult implications, it underscores the harmful effects of taxing period products. Only 12% of women in Pakistan utilize commercially produced sanitary pads, as documented by a 2024 study conducted by UNICEF and WaterAid. A normal pack of 10 sanitary pads is approximately 450 rupees, nearly $1.60. We know that an average price of over $100 per month is simply out of reach for many families.
Background and Motivation
Advocacy for Mahnoor Omer started as a teenager, when she experienced the shame society places on menstruation. She recalls the shame and anxiety she experienced in school, particularly when a teacher publicly reprimanded a classmate for a stained uniform. Such experiences inspired her mission to challenge the stigma associated with menstruation in Pakistan.
“Shame was never hers alone, but it’s part of a silence which starts at home and accompanies girls into adulthood.”
This incredible statement captures the cultural barriers that Omer aims to break down. Her parents were shocked at first, when she told them that she wanted to sue the government. Despite their fears, Omer felt compelled to pursue justice for women who suffer in silence due to the high costs of menstrual products.
Her co-petitioner, Ahsan Jehangir Khan, went so far as to call it ludicrous to tax a biological necessity. He emphasized that tax policies in Pakistan are often developed by a wealthy elite, mostly male. Yet these people fail to think about the impact of these taxes on average women.
“It’s a tax on a biological function,” – Ahsan Jehangir Khan.
Omer’s determination to resist these policies was only deepened by her love of activism. She stated, “What inspired me was just seeing the blatant mistreatment every day.”
The Impact of Extreme Weather
Omer emphasized the burden taxation places on their finances. Secondly, he highlighted how women are often more affected by extreme weather hazards, such as floods, which have become far more frequent in Pakistan. These crises have added to the burden that unequal access brings, emphasizing the urgent need for accessible menstrual hygiene products.
Omer hopes that abolishing taxes on sanitary pads will help reduce their costs. We hope this change will lead to improved health for all women throughout the country. Hira Amjad, another organizer within this movement, agreed with Omer’s notions that affordability is important.
“If this petition goes forward, it’s going to make pads affordable,” – Hira Amjad.
This case is about more than just offering direct assistance. It seeks to normalize menstruation by removing stigma and shame, enabling women to comfortably accept their biological realities.
The Road Ahead
As Mahnoor Omer gets ready for the trial days to come, she thinks back on what brought her to this point. She feels a sense of pride in taking this step forward, stating, “It makes me feel a sense of pride to be able to do this and take this step without fear.” Her love for the people and her fierce urgency to fight for justice emerges. She imagines a world where menstruation is destigmatized, talked about freely and treated as something normal.
“When I think of this case, the picture that comes to mind … It’s not a courtroom, it’s a feeling of justice,” – Mahnoor Omer.
Omer’s actions intentional and prove relatable to many individuals, who share similar experiences of fighting for their menstrual health and hygiene. She remembers how she would fold her sanitary towel up her arm as though it were something to be ashamed of. This one personal anecdote says so much about the cultural perceptions around menstruation and the need for change that is long overdue.
“I used to hide my pad up my sleeve like I was taking narcotics to the bathroom,” – Mahnoor Omer.
This unusual, ongoing case provides a model for effective legal battle against taxation. It represents a cultural shift that is reverberating through Pakistan’s society, creating more acceptance and understanding of women’s health issues.
