Pakistan plans to abolish the so-called 'period tax' on sanitary products, marking a significant victory for young campaigners who had taken the government to court over the charges. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb announced that sanitary towels and related items are 'daily necessities that are indispensable for women's health, dignity and full participation in social activities,' and stated his intention to remove the sales tax.
Background on Period Poverty in Pakistan
According to research from Unicef, commercial period products are used only by a minority of women in Pakistan due to their cost. The majority rely on cloth or homemade alternatives, which can be unsafe and increase the risk of infection. The high cost of these products has been a barrier to menstrual health and hygiene for many women across the country.
Campaigners' Legal Battle
Last year, two lawyers—25-year-old Mahnoor Omer and 29-year-old Ahsan Jehangir Khan—filed a court case seeking to have sanitary products zero-rated, meaning they would not be subject to any taxes. They argued that the charges amounted to a 'pink tax' on women. Their campaign gained massive traction on social media, and a supportive petition garnered thousands of signatures.
Currently, locally made period products incur an 18% sales tax in Pakistan, while imported products face an additional 25% customs tax. The campaigners have been pushing for the complete removal of these levies to make menstrual products more affordable.
Reactions to the Announcement
UN Women welcomed the decision, calling it a step that would help women stay in work and girls remain in school. The organization stated, 'Menstrual health is a matter of health, dignity and equality – not a luxury.'
Omer expressed approval of the announcement but emphasized that the fight is 'definitely not over.' She said they would continue to push for the removal of all additional charges on period products.
Bushra Mahnoor, executive director of Mahwari Justice, a Pakistani period rights organization, described the decision as 'just one step towards combating period poverty' in the country. She told CNN that the most valuable effect might be destigmatizing menstruation, but noted that safe sanitary products remain unaffordable for the most vulnerable women.
She added: 'Menstrual justice also means access to clean water, sanitation facilities, accurate menstrual education and a society free from period stigma. This moment is significant, but our work is far from over.'
Additional Tax Reforms
The government will also eliminate the 18% sales tax on contraceptives, according to Aurangzeb. He justified this move by citing 'alarming' population growth, saying, 'Pakistan is the fifth-largest country in the world in terms of population… Family planning is a top priority of the government.'
The abolition of taxes on both sanitary products and contraceptives reflects a broader effort to address public health and gender equality issues in Pakistan.
