Mahnoor Omer, a young Pakistani activist and lawyer, has been honoured as one of the 16 distinguished women leaders featured in TIME magazine’s prestigious annual Women of the Year list. This recognition highlights individuals who have made significant strides toward creating a more just and equitable society worldwide. At only 25 years old, Omer’s decade-long commitment to gender equality and social justice has already made a profound impact, especially through her efforts to challenge Pakistan’s controversial “period tax,” which has long rendered sanitary products unaffordable for millions of women and girls across the country.
Reflecting on this remarkable achievement, Omer shared a touching memory from her teenage years. When she was 17, she crafted a personalized version of TIME magazine as a heartfelt gift for her mother’s 40th birthday—a keepsake she still treasures deeply. She expressed amazement at the journey her life has taken, saying she never imagined that one day her own name and photograph would grace the pages of the very publication she once recreated as a young girl.
Omer’s journey into activism began early in her life. At just 14, dissatisfied with the limited impact of an existing NGO’s efforts to educate girls about sexual violence, she took the initiative to establish the Noor Foundation. Through this platform, she organized educational workshops in rural villages, covering critical topics ranging from climate change to menstrual health. A pivotal moment in her activism came when she spoke with a domestic worker who revealed the steep costs of sanitary pads and tampons, underscoring the stark inequality in access to these essential products. UNICEF data reveals that only about 12% of women in Pakistan use commercially manufactured sanitary products, with the majority relying on cloth alternatives that often lead to infections and cause many girls to miss school.
Building on her grassroots activism, Omer pursued a law degree and is currently advancing her studies with a master’s program in gender, peace, and security at the London School of Economics. In September 2025, she took a significant legal step by filing a landmark petition to challenge the imposition of the period tax. The case had its initial hearing at the end of that year and is now awaiting a response from the government. Omer has acknowledged the crucial role played by her lawyer, Ahsan Jehangir Khan, whose dedication and expertise have been instrumental in advancing the case.
Looking ahead, Omer views the TIME recognition not only as a personal milestone but as a symbol of the boundless potential of Pakistani women. She remains steadfast in her mission to combat injustice and inequality, emphasizing that her freedom is incomplete until every woman in her country is free. She is determined to exhaust every possible avenue to advocate for women’s rights and support gender minorities across Pakistan. The award serves as both a celebration of progress made and a powerful reminder of the ongoing challenges that must be addressed to achieve true gender equality nationwide.
