Pakistan’s government is set to abolish sales tax on sanitary products, following a legal challenge by two young lawyers. The planned withdrawal of the 18% sales tax on sanitary items and contraceptives was announced as part of the country’s fiscal budget last week.

Background

The move comes after a campaign for improved access to commercial period products in a nation where only a tiny proportion of women currently use them. 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.

The case urged 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.

Impact

The abolition of the tax is expected to increase affordability of menstrual products and enable more women and girls to stay in the workplace and school. Reproductive justice advocates say the move could de-stigmatize social taboos around sexual health.

However, some activists argue that the intervention does not impact all menstruators in the country, and definitely not the most vulnerable ones. The case is due for final arguments, after which a decision will be given by the judiciary.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.