ISLAMABAD – Pakistani rights activist Mahnoor Omer has been named among TIME magazine’s ‘Women of the Year’ for 2026, recognized for her groundbreaking work in gender equity and menstrual health advocacy. She joins a distinguished list of 16 women, including Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Oscar-nominated filmmaker Chloe Zhao.
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Omer first became involved in activism at the age of 14, founding the Noor Foundation to educate girls in rural Pakistan about issues ranging from climate change to sexual violence. Her focus shifted toward menstrual equity after a conversation with a domestic worker revealed the prohibitive cost of sanitary products. Determined to challenge this inequality, she filed a court case against the so-called “period tax” in September 2025, sparking a nationwide debate on a subject often considered taboo.
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TIME highlighted Omer’s decade-long journey, noting that at 25, she combines her passion and legal expertise to champion gender equity. Taxes on sanitary products in Pakistan can increase retail prices by up to 40 percent, while UNICEF estimates that only 12 percent of women in the country use commercially produced pads or tampons. Many resort to cloth alternatives, risking health issues and school absenteeism.
Currently pursuing a master’s degree in gender, peace, and security at the London School of Economics, Omer describes her activism as a lifelong mission. “I’m not free until every woman is free,” she told TIME. She hopes her legal work will continue to empower women and gender minorities across Pakistan.
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Omer’s recognition by TIME underscores the impact of grassroots activism in promoting social justice and gender equality, inspiring a new generation of advocates to challenge systemic barriers and fight for fundamental rights.