New Delhi, Jan 16 (NationPress) In Pakistan, menstrual pads are classified as a luxury item, and the government persists in levying a 40% tax on these essential period products, according to a recent media report.

While menstrual health has become a crucial topic globally, with countries like Malawi and Ethiopia working diligently over the past five years to eliminate various taxes and import duties, Pakistan continues to categorize menstrual pads as luxury goods, as highlighted by NPR.org.

“In Pakistan, period products are subjected to a luxury tax. They are not treated as regular sales items nor are they exempted as essential goods,” the report states.

A 2025 report from UNICEF indicates that there is “no national policy, plan, or strategy for menstrual health and hygiene” in the country.

Bushra Mahnoor, the executive director at Mahwari Justice, a nonprofit organization in Pakistan advocating for menstrual health, informed NPR that the country’s Constitution “exempts numerous products considered essential, such as medical supplies and cattle semen, while period products do not receive similar consideration. Instead, they are burdened with almost 40% tax.”

In 2025, Mahnoor’s organization collected over 10,000 signatures for a petition aimed at abolishing the luxury tax on menstrual products. A lawsuit was also initiated in September to redefine menstrual products from luxury to essential items. However, due to the country's unstable political and judicial environment, the petitioners are still awaiting a court hearing date, the report mentioned.

In contrast, India eliminated the menstrual tax in July 2018, making such products 100% tax-exempt to enhance affordability and accessibility, particularly for improving girls' education.

This decision removed a 12% tax, recognizing menstrual hygiene items as essential rather than luxury goods.