Pakistan’s government is set to abolish sales tax on sanitary products, in a move that reproductive justice advocates say could de-stigmatize social taboos around sexual health. The planned withdrawal of the 18% sales tax on sanitary items and contraceptives comes after a campaign for improved access to commercial period products in a nation where only a tiny proportion of women currently use them.

Background

Lawyers Ahsan Jehangir Khan and Mahnoor Omer are widely credited with sparking the national discourse in Pakistan after they took the government to court in a landmark legal case urging lawmakers to remove the so-called “period tax” and categorize menstrual products as essential goods instead of luxury items.

According to the United Nations’ children’s agency UNICEF, it is estimated that just 12% of women and girls in Pakistan use commercial sanitary products. Most others resort to cloth and other homemade alternatives, advocates say. Cost is considered a factor in the low uptake, with locally made products currently incurring the 18% sales tax, and an additional 25% customs tax being added on imported products.

The UN Women agency welcomed the “important step” on Monday, saying that increased affordability of menstrual products will enable more women and girls to stay in the workplace and school. Bushra Mahnoor, a reproductive justice activist, hailed the “symbolic value” of the proposed change.

Next Steps

While welcoming the sales tax proposal, Omer and Khan are pressing for the complete eradication of the entire taxation regime surrounding menstrual items, including additional levies on raw materials used to make sanitary pads. The case is due for final arguments, after which a decision will be given by the judiciary.

Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.