Menstrual Hygiene in Pakistan: A Taxing Reality

Strategic Insights -

In Pakistan, millions of women struggle with menstrual stigma and limited access to sanitary products. Mahnoor Omer, a 25-year-old lawyer, is fighting to change this reality by challenging the 18% sales tax and 25% customs tax imposed on sanitary pads. Omer's petition, filed in the Lahore High Court, argues that these taxes are discriminatory and violate constitutional provisions guaranteeing equality and dignity. A standard pack of sanitary pads costs about 450 rupees ($1.60), a burden that is exacerbated by the taxes, making them unaffordable for many women.

Key Takeaways:

  • The 18% sales tax and 25% customs tax on sanitary pads in Pakistan are imposed under the Sales Tax Act of 1990 and are charged on locally manufactured and imported pads, as well as raw materials.
  • The effective tax rate on sanitary pads in Pakistan is about 40%, making them unaffordable for most women.
  • Only 12% of Pakistani women use commercially produced sanitary pads, according to a 2024 study by UNICEF and WaterAid.
  • Pakistani women who cannot afford sanitary pads often use cloth or other materials, and may not have access to clean water for hygiene.
  • The social stigma associated with menstruation in Pakistan is closely tied to economics, with men often making financial decisions and prioritizing other expenses over women's health.
  • The proposed removal of the tax on sanitary pads could improve school attendance rates for girls, who currently miss school due to menstruation-related issues.
  • Women in Pakistan will need to change sanitary pads more frequently due to climate change, exacerbating the issue of access to sanitary products.

Statistics:

  • The effective tax rate on sanitary pads in Pakistan is about 40%.
  • Only 12% of Pakistani women use commercially produced sanitary pads.
  • The average cost of a package of sanitary pads in Pakistan is about 450 rupees ($1.60).
  • More than half of Pakistani women cannot afford sanitary pads.
  • The United Nations reports that over 50% of Pakistan's girls in the 5-16 age group are not in school.
  • A study published in the Frontiers in Public Health journal in 2023 found that 8 out of 10 girls in Pakistan feel embarrassed or uncomfortable talking about periods, and 2 out of 3 girls report never having received information about menstruation before it began.

Sources:

  • UNICEF Pakistan [www.unicef.org]
  • WaterAid [www.wateraid.org]
  • Frontiers in Public Health [www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health]
  • BBC News [www.bbc.com]
  • The Kathmandu Post [www.kathmandupost.com]
  • UK Government [www.gov.uk]