Pakistani women’s rights activist Mahnoor Omer has been listed among the Women of the Year 2026 by global media group, Time, winning her global recognition with her struggle against taxation of menstrual products and her advocacy for fight against gender discrimination.
Omer appears with 16 more influential women from around the globe, including an Oscar nominated filmmaker, Chloe Zhao, and an Olympic gold medalist, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.
The annual list honours activists, artists, athletes, and leaders who are bringing a more equitable future.
Her journey began early. At just 14, Omer was frustrated by how one of the big NGOs operated in educating girls about sexual violence.
Believing that the discussion then taking place had to be more honest and community-driven, she founded the Noor Foundation.
Through it, she started giving workshops in rural villages, anything from climate change to menstruation.
A turning point was reached years later when she was conversing with a domestic worker who had difficulty affording sanitary products.
Omer realised that for perhaps a significant number of women in Pakistan, these basic items of menstrual hygiene were out of financial reach.
Taxes on pads and tampons can result in major price increases of up to 40 per cent which makes them inaccessible for millions.
According to UNICEF, in Pakistan only 12 percent of the women use commercially produced sanitary products.
Many turn to cloth alternatives, which are potentially hazardous to their health, and many of them are forced to miss school when they get their period.
Combining activism with legal action, the now 25-year-old placed a petition in September 2025 challenging the so-called “period tax.”
The case, which held its first hearing at that time of the year, has drawn a debate across the country on the health policy and reform of menstrual health.
Currently doing a master’s course in gender, peace and security at the London School of Economics, Omer sees the recognition as motivation.
“I’m not free until every woman is free,” she said reiterating her sympathy as regards women and gender minorities across Pakistan.
Also read: How a 25-Year-Old Lawyer Is Challenging Pakistan’s Tax on Sanitary Pads
