Pakistan ends sales tax on sanitary products in fight against period poverty

Pakistan abolished an 18% sales tax on sanitary products in its 2026–27 budget to address period poverty, following a constitutional petition by women’s rights activist Mahnoor Omer and tax lawyer Ahsan Jahangir Khan. The move, supported by Unicef Pakistan, aims to reduce costs for millions of women, though campaigners note ongoing challenges in combating menstrual stigma and affordability.