Pakistani Women’s Rights Activist Gets Recognition by Famous International Magazine

Women’s rights activist Mahnoor Omer has been named among TIME magazine’s Women of the Year for 2026, recognizing her legal challenge against the taxation of menstrual products in Pakistan.

Omer took the State to court in September, filing a petition that argued taxes on menstrual hygiene products unfairly penalize women for “a biological function over which they have no control.”

Her advocacy has now placed her among a group of 16 activists, artists, athletes, and business leaders honored by TIME, alongside figures such as Oscar-nominated filmmaker Chloe Zhao and Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.

According to her profile in TIME, Omer began her activism at a young age. At just 14, she founded the Noor Foundation, which conducts workshops in rural villages to educate girls on topics including sexual health and climate change.

At 16, a discussion about the high cost of menstrual products led Omer to discover that only about 12 percent of women in Pakistan use items such as sanitary pads and tampons. The finding highlighted widespread barriers to menstrual care and prompted her to pursue legal action.

Now 25, Omer petitioned the Lahore High Court, seeking to have feminine hygiene products declared essential goods and to remove the 40 percent tax burden on their retail prices.

In her petition, she argued that the taxes are “inherently discriminatory” and violate several constitutional protections, including Article 9 (security of person), Article 14 (inviolability of dignity), Article 25 (equality of citizens), and Article 38 (promotion of social and economic well-being of the people).

The petition stated that period poverty, defined as a lack of access to hygiene products, waste management, and menstrual education, has serious consequences. These include girls missing school, women being excluded from the workforce, and higher rates of urinary tract infections.

Following her recognition by TIME, Omer said she was “deeply grateful for this honor.” She added that she hopes the recognition reflects “the limitless potential of Pakistani women,” while acknowledging that significant work remains to ensure equal opportunities.

“Moments like this remind us of how far we have come and how much further we can go,” she said.

Omer also pledged to continue challenging injustice and to use her platform “with courage and purpose.”

She is one of several activists pushing for menstrual hygiene products to be classified as essential and exempt from taxation. Weeks after her petition was filed, Karachi resident Alisha Shabbir submitted a similar case to the Sindh High Court.

Another prominent advocate is Bushra Mahnoor, founder of Mahwari Justice, an organization that provides menstrual hygiene products and education to women in underserved communities. The group played a key role in distributing supplies to women affected by floods in 2022 and 2025.