LAHORE:
“Since my childhood, I have observed that women face serious challenges in society, especially regarding 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 against women in Pakistan.
Speaking on the Express News Morning Show, she said: “If we have licenses to practice law, then why not use them to challenge the injustices women face every day?
Her remarks come as the Lahore High Court (LHC) admits a landmark petition filed by her, challenging the heavy taxation of sanitary napkins – a decision that has sparked a national debate on gender equality and women’s rights to health.
The petition claims that menstrual hygiene products, essential to women’s health, are wrongly categorized as luxury products and subject to excessive taxation.
Omer said she was deeply aware of the difficulties faced by women since childhood. “Periods are a fundamental biological function that we don’t even teach our daughters,” she said.
“A young girl often feels confused when her period starts, 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 harsh criticism and mockery 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 mentality of our society will begin to change.”
The petition highlights that sanitary napkins currently face a 40% tax burden, including an 18% sales tax on locally manufactured products and around 25% customs duty on imported materials. Omer argues that these taxes are discriminatory and violate women’s constitutional rights to equality, dignity and social justice under Articles 3, 14, 25 and 37 of the Constitution.
“When I was at school, I hid my notepad in my sleeve like I was dealing drugs,” she recalls. “Even today, many women think sanitary pads are a waste of money. This is how neglecting women’s health has become normalized.”
Her case has reignited the national debate on gender inequalities in taxation and access to hygiene products. Women from all walks of life expressed their support.
“Sanitary napkins are not affordable for many of us,” said Hira Amjad, a women’s rights activist from Lahore. “Even working women hand over their salaries to their families, and it’s usually men who decide what to buy. Menstrual hygiene is rarely on the list when prices are so high.”
A factory worker in Sheikhupura said the rising cost of towels was forcing her to make heartbreaking choices. “When my period starts, I have to choose between buying sanitary napkins or milk for my children. Sometimes I stay home after work because I don’t have both.”
Similarly, a university student from Lahore said she often borrowed towels from friends because her monthly allowance did not cover them. Doctors warn that such financial barriers push many women to use unsafe alternatives like cloth or paper, causing infections and other health problems.
“If sanitary products remain expensive, girls will continue to miss classes every month,” said a gynecologist from Lahore. “It’s not just a question of money, it’s also a question of health, dignity and the right to education.”
According to a 2024 Unicef and WaterAid study, only about 12% of women in Pakistan use commercially made sanitary napkins, 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 scheduled for early November. The bench raised questions on jurisdiction, since some respondents are based in Islamabad, but allowed the petitioner’s lawyer time to respond.
Civil society organizations and health experts have called the tax “disguised gender bias,” arguing that it reflects a deep-rooted insensitivity in fiscal policy. A single pack of 10 pads now costs around 450 rupees – a steep price given that the average monthly income in Pakistan is around 33,000 rupees – making menstrual products almost as expensive as household essentials.
Campaigners note that many countries, including India and the United Kingdom, have already abolished taxes on menstrual products, recognizing them as essential health necessities. They urge the federal government to do the same to align with global standards on equality and health.
If the court declares the tax unconstitutional, it could set a historic precedent, forcing the government to recognize sanitary napkins as essential goods and eliminate all taxes on them.
For now, women across Pakistan continue to speak out, calling the 40 percent tax on sanitary napkins not only unfair but also inhumane – a burden that strips them of dignity, health and equality.
