KARACHI: Pakistani women’s rights advocate Mahnoor Omer has been named among TIME magazine’s Women of the Year 2026, recognised for her legal and social activism challenging gender inequality, particularly the taxation of menstrual products in Pakistan.
Omer joins a global cohort of 16 other influential figures, including Oscar-nominated filmmaker Chloe Zhao and Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.
Her activism began in her teens. Frustrated at age 14 by an NGO’s approach to educating girls about sexual violence, she founded the Noor Foundation, conducting workshops in rural villages addressing issues from climate change to menstruation, according to her TIME profile.
A conversation with a domestic worker two years later exposed a harsh reality: many women could not afford basic menstrual hygiene products.
In Pakistan, taxes on pads and tampons can add up to 40% of the retail price, limiting access. UNICEF estimates only 12% of women in the country use commercially produced sanitary products, while alternatives like cloth carry serious health risks and often prevent girls from attending school.
Combining activism with legal expertise, the 25-year-old filed a court challenge against the so-called “period tax” in September 2025.
The case, first heard at the end of 2025, has sparked national debate and highlighted the urgent need for menstrual health policy reform.
Currently pursuing a master’s degree in gender, peace, and security at the London School of Economics, Omer described the legal case as the start of a long journey. “I’m not free until every woman is free,” she said, reaffirming her dedication to women and gender minorities across Pakistan.
Reflecting on the TIME recognition, Omer shared her gratitude on social media: “I hope this reflects the limitless potential of Pakistani women. While there is still a long journey ahead, moments like this remind us how far we have come and how much further we can go.”
