A damning report exposes Pakistan’s unwavering 40 percent taxation on sanitary pads, perpetuating a cycle of period poverty and gender disparity. Even as the world moves toward tax-free menstrual products, Pakistan lags behind, prioritizing coffers over women’s well-being.
The analysis delves into the ripple effects: soaring prices mean one in three women skips protection during menstruation, per survey data. This not only hampers education— with absenteeism rates spiking 20-25 percent monthly—but also stifles economic productivity as working women face discomfort and stigma.
Policy experts dissect the tax structure, revealing how the 17 percent federal sales tax plus provincial levies totals 40 percent, far exceeding rates on non-essentials like cosmetics. Calls for alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals, which target menstrual equity, have fallen on deaf ears amid fiscal deficits.
Grassroots movements are gaining traction, partnering with brands for donation drives while lobbying parliament. Stories of resilience emerge, like community-led pad-making initiatives in Punjab, but scalability demands government intervention. International aid groups pledge support contingent on tax reforms.
Looking ahead, the report forecasts that scrapping the tax could save women PKR 50 billion annually in out-of-pocket expenses, redirecting funds toward nutrition and education. It’s a clarion call for reform: in the battle for gender justice, affordable periods aren’t a luxury—they’re a right.