The Balochistan Assembly on Monday adopted two resolutions aimed at reducing taxes on women’s hygiene products and strengthening minority representation at provincial and local levels.
The resolution on women’s hygiene products was jointly moved by JUI-F female lawmakers, including Ms Shahida Rauf, Ume Kulsoom, Rehman Baloch, and Khair Baloch.
The resolution urged the federal government to lower taxes on sanitary and menstrual hygiene products, which lawmakers said remain unaffordable for many women in the province.
Presenting the resolution, Rehmat Saleh Baloch said menstrual hygiene management is not only a women’s issue but also a major public health and human rights concern affecting more than half of Balochistan’s population.
Citing UNICEF data, he said nearly 89 per cent of women and girls in Balochistan lack access to safe and affordable menstrual hygiene products, while only 11 per cent have proper access.
He added that heavy taxation, including GST, customs duties, and additional levies, has pushed the total tax burden on menstrual hygiene products to nearly 40 per cent, effectively treating essential healthcare items as luxury goods.
The resolution recommended that the provincial government urge the federal government to exempt sanitary products and raw materials from GST and additional sales tax, or reduce them by at least 50 per cent to improve affordability and access for women across the province.
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