LAHORE:
“Since my childhood, I have observed that women face serious challenges in society, especially when it comes to their right to health,” says Mahnoor Omer, a young lawyer and activist who has taken a bold legal step against what she calls institutional discrimination towards women in Pakistan.
Speaking on the Express News Morning Show, she said: “If we have licenses to practice law, why not use them to challenge the injustices women face every day?”
Her comments come as the Lahore High Court (LHC) admits a landmark petition filed by her, challenging heavy taxes on sanitary pads, a move that has sparked a national debate on gender equality and women’s health rights.
The petition argues that menstrual hygiene products, which are essential for women’s health, are misclassified as luxury items and are subject to excessive taxes.
Omer said she had been deeply aware of the difficulties women face since childhood. “Menstruation is a basic biological function that we don’t even teach our daughters about,” she said.
“Girls often feel confused when their periods start, and even mothers are hesitant to talk about it. If we can talk about family planning and population control, then menstrual health should also be discussed openly.”
Despite facing harsh criticism and ridicule on social media, Omer remains determined. “There is a void in our society when it comes to women’s issues. But I am hopeful that after winning this case, women’s health will improve, diseases will decrease and the mindset of our society will begin to change.”
The petition highlights that sanitary pads currently face a tax burden of up to 40%, including an 18% sales tax on locally manufactured products and around 25% customs duties on imported materials. Omer maintains that these taxes are discriminatory and violate women’s constitutional rights to equality, dignity and social justice established in articles 3, 14, 25 and 37 of the Constitution.
“When I was in school, I used to hide my sanitary pad up my sleeve like I was dealing drugs,” he recalled. “Even today, many women think that sanitary pads are a waste of money – that’s how normalized the neglect of women’s health has become.”
Her case has reignited the national debate about gender inequality in taxation and access to hygiene products. Women from all walks of life have expressed their support.
“Sanitary pads are not affordable for many of us,” said Hira Amjad, a women’s rights activist in Lahore. “Even working women give their salaries to their families, and men often decide what to buy. Menstrual hygiene is rarely on the list when prices are so high.”
A Sheikhupura factory worker said the rising cost of sanitary pads is forcing her to make heartbreaking decisions. “When my period starts, I have to choose between buying sanitary pads or milk for my children. Sometimes I stay home and don’t work because I can’t afford both.”
Similarly, a college student in Lahore shared that she often borrows sanitary pads from her friends because her monthly allowance does not cover them. Doctors warn that these financial obstacles push many women to use unsafe alternatives like cloth or paper, leading to infections and other health problems.
“If sanitary products remain expensive, girls will continue to miss school every month,” said a gynecologist in Lahore. “It’s not just about money, it’s about health, dignity and the right to education.”
According to a 2024 Unicef and WaterAid study, only about 12% of women in Pakistan use commercially manufactured sanitary pads, while the rest rely on unhygienic substitutes. The petitioners argue that the tax worsens “period poverty,” further marginalizing women and girls.
The LHC has issued notices to the federal government, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and other concerned departments to submit responses. The next hearing is expected in early November. The court has raised questions over jurisdiction as some of the respondents are based in Islamabad, but granted time to the petitioner’s lawyer to respond.
Civil society organizations and health experts have called the tax a “disguised gender bias,” arguing that it reflects a deep-seated insensitivity in tax policy. A single pack of 10 sanitary pads now costs around Rs 450 (a high price given that the average monthly income in Pakistan is approximately Rs 33,000), making menstrual products almost as expensive as basic household needs.
Activists point out that many countries, including India and the United Kingdom, have already abolished taxes on menstrual products, recognizing them as basic health needs. They urge the federal government to do the same to align with global equality and health standards.
If the court declares the tax unconstitutional, it could set a historic precedent, forcing the government to recognize sanitary pads as essential goods and eliminate all taxes on them.
For now, women across Pakistan continue to speak out, calling the 40% tax on sanitary pads not only unfair but also inhumane: a burden that strips them of their dignity, their health and their equality.
