In June 2026, Pakistan’s decision to abolish the 18% tax on sanitary products is a powerful example of how political actors mainly governments and parliamentarian actors can advance women’s rights through practical policy reforms.

A simple step that has a huge impact on the lifes of women and girls. And I really hope that this could be done also in My Country Lebanon.

Recognizing menstrual products as “essential necessities” rather than “luxury items” is not only a matter of health, but also of equality, and economic justice.

The announcement in Pakistan, follows advocacy efforts of campaigners who successfully pushed for change, demonstrating how advocacy, citizen engagement can shape public policy. As I often tell my university students, change is possible when citizens, campaigners, organize, advocate, and engage constructively with decision-makers whether from the inside or outside. This is a new and inspiring example that I will certainly share in my advocacy classes.

Today, Lebanon continues to face hyperinflation and one of the worst economic and financial crises in its history, compounded by years of political instability, economic “hyper -decline” as I name it, and the devastating impacts of a long lasting war. Against this backdrop, reducing or eliminating taxes on menstrual health products should be considered a social and economic priority.

I hope the Pakistani example inspires our own policymakers.

In the government: The Ministry of Finance, together with the Ministry of Economy and Trade, could take similar steps to reduce or eliminate taxes on menstrual health products, making them more accessible and affordable for all women and girls living in Lebanon. The Ministry of Public Health could also play a leading role in advocating for such a reform, given its direct implications for women’s and adolescent girls’ health. Colleagues in the ministry I will be calling you for this, and writing to you on this.

With the impact of war on a lot of livelihoods such an elimination of taxes is urgently due. let’s learn from Pakistan, from 18% to zero! (we could also invite the Pakistani ambassador here to explain how they went with such a step).

The impact of war and displacement has placed additional burdens on thousands of women and girls, particularly among vulnerable communities and internally displaced populations. For many families, menstrual products have become increasingly difficult to afford. Eliminating taxes on these products would therefore represent an important social protection measure at a time when many households are struggling to meet their basic needs.

If such a reform requires parliamentary approval, I am confident that several parliamentarians, in parliamentary committees including the Health Committee, the Women and Children’s parliament Committee, and the Economy Committee, could support and advance this initiative. Other committees such as the Human rights committees have also great parliamentarians who could support such a step. Such a decision would send a strong message that women’s health, adolescent girls’ rights are national priorities.

And our self-extended parliament needs to work on OUR rights as a Priority.

I will send this post to my colleagues in many CSOs working on health rights, I am sure they could support getting the text and pushing it in all spheres.

To make the work easier, to all and have a full advocacy and policy lens, I will add that this reform would contribute to the implementation of Lebanon’s National Strategy for Women led by NCLW, and support the objectives of the second National Action Plan on UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, which was endorsed by the Government in April 2026. Ensuring access to menstrual health products is not only a gender equality issue; it is also a matter of health, protection, participation, and human “dignity” here i am using the word.

Let us learn from the experience of Pakistan and work together toward a Lebanon where no woman or girl is disadvantaged because of the cost of managing her menstrual health.

Again, I am repeating, Menstrual health and the products use are not a luxury. No women and girl should use papers instead of health products. here I will use the term of HEALTH DIGNITY. again.

It is a basic right .

Rita Chemaly

Policy Advisor,

rita (dot) chemaly (at) usj.edu.lb; ritachemaly (at) hotmail (dot) com;

Link to reading on what Pakistan did: ‘Period tax’ on sanitary products to be abolished, says Pakistan minister | Global development | The Guardian

Link from Indian press: What is ‘period tax’ that Pakistan is moving to scrap? | World News – The Indian Express

Link from the South Asia: From 18% To Zero: How Two Young Lawyers Killed Pakistan’s Period Tax | World News – News18

Link from CNN: Pakistan moves to slash period tax, after legal challenge by two young lawyers | CNN

#MenstrualHealth #GenderEquality #PeriodPoverty #Lebanon #PublicPolicy #Women’sRights #taxes #Pinktax