pakistan

The Pakistani federal government has eliminated the 18% sales tax on menstrual products and contraceptives, ending a policy that previously classified these items as luxury goods. This shift follows years of advocacy from activists, including a petition signed by over 10,000 people and a legal challenge initiated in September 2025 by lawyers Mahnoor Omer and Ahsan Khan. While the move aims to address widespread period poverty—where, according to UNICEF, only about one in 10 women and girls in Pakistan use menstrual products—advocates note that additional financial barriers, such as import duties of up to 20%, remain in place.

Did You Know? Kenya was the first country in the world to eliminate the sales tax on menstrual products, a policy change that took effect in 2004.

How period poverty impacts education

The financial barrier to purchasing menstrual products has concrete consequences for school attendance. Bushra Mahnoor, executive director of the nonprofit Mahwari Justice, stated that she often missed school as a teenager due to a lack of access to pads, forcing her to rely on cloths. UNICEF reports that one in five girls in Pakistan miss school because of their menstrual cycles, resulting in a loss of at least one year of education. Beyond the cost, stigma continues to complicate access to hygiene products, according to Mahnoor Omer.

The status of the “tampon tax” in the United States

While Pakistan has moved to remove its tax, 18 U.S. states still levy sales tax on menstrual products as of March 2026, according to the Alliance for Period Supplies (AFPS). A 2023 study found that nearly one-quarter of teens and one-third of adults in the U.S. struggle to afford these items. The AFPS notes that while 40 states and Washington, D.C., exempt groceries from general sales tax, menstrual products are frequently taxed at the same rate as luxury goods like electronics or makeup. Minnesota became the first U.S. state to exempt health products, including period supplies, from state sales tax in 1981.

What could happen next?

Advocates in Pakistan may continue to lobby for the removal of remaining import duties to further reduce the cost of menstrual health supplies. In the U.S., the ongoing disparity between states—where some have moved to classify products as essentials while others continue to tax them—is likely to remain a focal point for policy debates. Individuals seeking to influence local tax policy can utilize resources like the AFPS “Tampon Tax Toolkit” to petition state officials for legislative changes, a process that has already seen 28 states take some action to reduce or remove taxes over the last several decades.

Expert Insight: The divergence between Pakistan’s recent policy shift and the persistent taxation in 18 U.S. states highlights a global debate over how governments define “essential needs.” While Pakistan’s move addresses an immediate economic barrier, the presence of residual import duties suggests that eliminating a sales tax is often only the first step in addressing the broader, systemic issue of menstrual equity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why were menstrual products taxed in Pakistan?
Previously, the government classified menstrual products as “luxury items” rather than essential goods, subjecting them to an 18% sales tax.

How many U.S. states still tax menstrual products?
As of March 2026, 18 states continue to charge sales tax on menstrual products, according to the Alliance for Period Supplies.

What is the impact of period poverty on students?
According to UNICEF, one in five girls in Pakistan miss school during their menstrual cycles, which can lead to a cumulative loss of at least one year of schooling.

What steps, if any, have you seen taken in your local community to improve access to essential hygiene products?