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, 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 high taxation on sanitary napkins – a move that has sparked national debate on gender equality and women’s health rights.
The petition claims that menstrual hygiene products, which are essential to women’s health, are wrongly categorized as luxury goods and subject to excessive taxation.
Omer said she had been keenly aware of the difficulties faced by women since childhood. “Periods are a basic biological function that we don’t even teach our daughters about,” she said.
“A young girl often feels confused when her period starts and even mothers hesitate 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 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 napkins currently face a 40% tax burden, including an 18% sales tax on locally manufactured products and around 25% duty on imported materials. Omer claims 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 in school, I used to hide my pillow in my sleeve like I was smuggling drugs,” she recalled. “Even today, many women believe that pads are a waste of money—that’s how normalized the neglect of women’s health has become.”
Her case has reignited the national conversation about gender-based inequality in taxation and access to hygiene products. Women from all walks of life have expressed their support.
“Pads are not affordable for many of us,” said Hira Amjad, a women’s rights activist from Lahore. “Even working women hand over their wages to their families, and men usually decide what to buy. Menstrual hygiene is rarely on the list when prices are so high.”
A factory worker from Sheikhupura said the rising cost of sanitary napkins is forcing her to make heartbreaking choices. “When my period starts, I have to choose between buying pads or milk for my children. Sometimes I stay home from work because I can’t afford both.”
Similarly, a university student in Lahore shared that she often borrows pads from friends because her monthly allowance does not cover them. Doctors warn that such financial obstacles push many women to use unsafe alternatives such as cloth or paper, causing infections and other health problems.
“If hygiene products remain expensive, girls will continue to miss classes every month,” said a gynecologist from Lahore. “This is not just about money, it’s about health, dignity and the right to education.”
According to a 2024 Unicef and WaterAid survey, only about 12% of women in Pakistan use commercially manufactured sanitary napkins, with the rest relying on unsanitary substitutes. The petitioners argue that the tax exacerbates “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 replies. The next hearing is expected in early November. The bench has raised questions of jurisdiction as some respondents are based in Islamabad, but has given time to the petitioner’s counsel to respond.
Civil society organizations and health experts have called the tax a “gender bias in disguise” and argue that it reflects deep-seated insensitivity in fiscal policy. A single pack of 10 pads now costs around Rs 450 – a steep price given that the average monthly income in Pakistan is around Rs 33,000 – making menstrual products almost as expensive as basic household necessities.
Activists note that many countries, including India and the United Kingdom, have already abolished taxes on menstrual products, recognizing them as basic health necessities. They urge the federal government to do the same to align with global equity and health standards.
If the court declares the tax unconstitutional, it could set a historic precedent that forces the government to recognize sanitary napkins as essential goods and remove all taxes on them.
For now, women across Pakistan continue to speak out, calling the 40% tax on sanitary napkins not just unfair, but inhumane — a burden that robs them of dignity, health and equality.
