Pakistan's government has scrapped the ‘period tax’ or ‘pink tax’ on women’s hygiene products. The government also made contraceptives tax-free to curb the financial burden on women in the country. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announced the move as the aim to provide relief to the masses, according to Arab News.<h3>What is ‘period tax’ or ‘pink tax’?</h3>The ‘period tax’ or ‘pink tax’ in Pakistan refers to the government's role of imposing a tax on women’s hygiene products, including sanitary napkins, tampons, and similar items. For years, these products were subject to 18 per cent sales tax, a policy that critics argued placed an unfair financial burden on women. It also highlights the financial burden placed on biological functions when governments classify these goods as luxury or non-essential items. UNICEF confirmed that the tax has increased the retail price of the pads by up to 40 per cent. The development has made it inaccessible for several women and girls, especially those belonging to rural and impoverished sectors of society. Even Women’s rights activists and several organisations in Pakistan have continuously demanded the abolition of this “period tax”. “Regarding women, it was a massive demand in this country to end the pink tax,” Arab News quoted Tarar as saying at the National Assembly session on Sunday. “Today, the tax on their hygiene products has been reduced to 0 per cent from 18 per cent.”&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/wion-health-pulse-india-has-a-lot-of-advantages-in-healthcare-dr-carlota-alonso-1781677060633">WION Health Pulse: 'India has a lot of advantages in healthcare': Dr. Carlota Alonso</a> The information minister also highlighted rapid population growth as a major challenge facing the country, while informing parliament that the government had removed taxes on contraceptives in the upcoming fiscal year's budget. Describing it as a “relief budget,” Tarar said the financial plan was designed to support the country's transition into a period of economic growth and prosperity. The decision was welcomed by Mahwari Justice, an organisation advocating for menstrual health equity and reproductive rights in Pakistan. Women's rights activist Mahnoor Omer, who was named among TIME magazine's Women of the Year 2026, also praised the government's move. Following the announcement, Pakistan joins India, which scrapped its period tax in July 2018.&nbsp;

The decision was welcomed by Mahwari Justice, an organisation advocating for menstrual health equity and reproductive rights in Pakistan. Following the announcement, Pakistan joins India, which scrapped its period tax in July 2018.

Pakistan's government has scrapped the ‘period tax’ or ‘pink tax’ on women’s hygiene products. The government also made contraceptives tax-free to curb the financial burden on women in the country. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announced the move as the aim to provide relief to the masses, according to Arab News. What is ‘period tax’ or ‘pink tax’? The ‘period tax’ or ‘pink tax’ in Pakistan refers to the government's role of imposing a tax on women’s hygiene products, including sanitary napkins, tampons, and similar items. For years, these products were subject to 18 per cent sales tax, a policy that critics argued placed an unfair financial burden on women. It also highlights the financial burden placed on biological functions when governments classify these goods as luxury or non-essential items. UNICEF confirmed that the tax has increased the retail price of the pads by up to 40 per cent. The development has made it inaccessible for several women and girls, especially those belonging to rural and impoverished sectors of society. Even Women’s rights activists and several organisations in Pakistan have continuously demanded the abolition of this “period tax”. “Regarding women, it was a massive demand in this country to end the pink tax,” Arab News quoted Tarar as saying at the National Assembly session on Sunday. “Today, the tax on their hygiene products has been reduced to 0 per cent from 18 per cent.” Also read: WION Health Pulse: 'India has a lot of advantages in healthcare': Dr. Carlota Alonso The information minister also highlighted rapid population growth as a major challenge facing the country, while informing parliament that the government had removed taxes on contraceptives in the upcoming fiscal year's budget. Describing it as a “relief budget,” Tarar said the financial plan was designed to support the country's transition into a period of economic growth and prosperity. The decision was welcomed by Mahwari Justice, an organisation advocating for menstrual health equity and reproductive rights in Pakistan. Women's rights activist Mahnoor Omer, who was named among TIME magazine's Women of the Year 2026, also praised the government's move. Following the announcement, Pakistan joins India, which scrapped its period tax in July 2018.

The decision was welcomed by Mahwari Justice, an organisation advocating for menstrual health equity and reproductive rights in Pakistan. Following the announcement, Pakistan joins India, which scrapped its period tax in July 2018.

What is ‘period tax’ or ‘pink tax'? Pakistan scraps in major relief for Women

Ever wondered why seemingly identical products cost more when marketed towards women? This video dives into the concept of the pink tax, exposing the unfair phenomenon where women are charged a premium for everyday items.

Pink Tax : Why you pay more just for being a woman

Women across the world are often made to pay more for some products which cost less for men. The phenomenon is informally called 'Pink Tax.' 
 
Now,&nbsp;the chief of Indian pharma giant Biocoin Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw has strongly criticised Pink Tax, denouncing the gender-based pricing disparity faced by women.

Sharing a video X that highlighted the pricing disparity, the Biocon chief highlighted the exorbitant pricing of women's products in comparison to equivalent male products of the same size and quantity.

Encouraging women to boycott such items, she addresses the pervasive issue of gender-based price discrepancies, particularly in personal care products like soaps, lotions, razor blades and deodorants.

Mazumdar-Shaw wrote, "Pink Tax! A shameful gender bias that women must respond to by shunning such products." 
 
The post gained significant traction, amassing nearly 200,000 views within hours, with other users expressing support for her stance.

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Pink Tax! A shameful gender bias that women must respond to by shunning such products! <a href="https://t.co/U3ZQm2s7W9">pic.twitter.com/U3ZQm2s7W9</a>
— Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (@kiranshaw) <a href="https://twitter.com/kiranshaw/status/1767701844758052979?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Commenting on the post, one user agreed with Mazumdar-Shaw and raised the dilemma of choosing between buying male products or abstaining from such purchases altogether.

Another user appreciated the entrepreneur for shedding light on the higher costs of women's products and hoped that more voices will join in advocating for the elimination of the pink tax.

What exactly is the Pink Tax?

The term Pink Tax does not denote an official government tax but rather signifies discriminatory pricing that artificially inflates the cost of goods marketed to women.

The issue gained attention in 2015 when New York City's Department of Consumer Affairs identified gendered pricing in 794 products.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-international-womens-day-pay-gap-gender-bias-continue-to-haunt-wion-697773" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-international-womens-day-pay-gap-gender-bias-continue-to-haunt-wion-697773&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwje-KfOh_GEAxUT4zgGHcWjAO0QFnoECAAQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw0y1SJBrx4PzOZqvILQyzLj&amp;arm=e" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-international-womens-day-pay-gap-gender-bias-continue-to-haunt-wion-697773" target="_blank">International Women's Day: Pay gap,&nbsp;gender bias&nbsp;continue to haunt</a>

Despite researchers addressing this phenomenon since the 1990s, the economic burden of the pink tax persists, disproportionately affecting women who continue to earn less than men.

As per the World Economic Forum, the economic burden on women arises from discriminatory pricing, given their ongoing lower earnings compared to men.

The United Nations has urged countries globally to implement measures to eradicate the pink tax, aiming to secure full and equal participation for women in the economy.

(With inputs from agencies)

Women across the world are often made to pay more for some products which cost less for men. The phenomenon is informally called 'Pink Tax.' Now, the chief of Indian pharma giant Biocoin Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw has strongly criticised Pink Tax, denouncing the gender-based pricing disparity faced by women.

Women across the world are often made to pay more for some products which cost less for men. The phenomenon is informally called 'Pink Tax.' Now, the chief of Indian pharma giant Biocoin Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw has strongly criticised Pink Tax, denouncing the gender-based pricing disparity faced by women. Sharing a video X that highlighted the pricing disparity, the Biocon chief highlighted the exorbitant pricing of women's products in comparison to equivalent male products of the same size and quantity. Encouraging women to boycott such items, she addresses the pervasive issue of gender-based price discrepancies, particularly in personal care products like soaps, lotions, razor blades and deodorants. Mazumdar-Shaw wrote, "Pink Tax! A shameful gender bias that women must respond to by shunning such products." The post gained significant traction, amassing nearly 200,000 views within hours, with other users expressing support for her stance. Pink Tax! A shameful gender bias that women must respond to by shunning such products! pic.twitter.com/U3ZQm2s7W9 — Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (@kiranshaw) March 12, 2024 × Commenting on the post, one user agreed with Mazumdar-Shaw and raised the dilemma of choosing between buying male products or abstaining from such purchases altogether. Another user appreciated the entrepreneur for shedding light on the higher costs of women's products and hoped that more voices will join in advocating for the elimination of the pink tax. What exactly is the Pink Tax? The term Pink Tax does not denote an official government tax but rather signifies discriminatory pricing that artificially inflates the cost of goods marketed to women. The issue gained attention in 2015 when New York City's Department of Consumer Affairs identified gendered pricing in 794 products. Also read: International Women's Day: Pay gap, gender bias continue to haunt Despite researchers addressing this phenomenon since the 1990s, the economic burden of the pink tax persists, disproportionately affecting women who continue to earn less than men. As per the World Economic Forum, the economic burden on women arises from discriminatory pricing, given their ongoing lower earnings compared to men. The United Nations has urged countries globally to implement measures to eradicate the pink tax, aiming to secure full and equal participation for women in the economy. (With inputs from agencies)

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw condemns 'Pink Tax' as a disgraceful gender bias. But what is it?

pink-tax

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