My Journey as a Tax Fighter
Every journey begins with a question.
Why should a basic necessity be treated like a luxury?
That question changed my life.
As a young woman from Pakistan, I witnessed how countless girls and women struggled to afford sanitary pads because of the taxes imposed on them. For many families, it was more than a financial burden—it was a barrier to health, dignity, and education. I realized that silence would never create change.
Instead of accepting the situation, I chose to speak.
I researched the issue, gathered facts, and prepared my arguments. I stood before decision-makers, raised my voice in public forums, and continued advocating despite criticism and doubt. Many believed that one young girl could never influence a national conversation, but I believed that change always starts with someone willing to take the first step.
The campaign was never about politics. It was about justice.
Every speech I delivered, every meeting I attended, and every document I prepared carried one message: menstrual hygiene is a necessity, not a privilege.
When the tax on sanitary pads was eventually removed, it was more than a policy change. It was a victory for millions of women and girls whose dignity deserved to be protected. It reminded me that determined voices, backed by purpose and persistence, can contribute to meaningful change.
That victory also transformed me.
It taught me that advocacy is not limited to meeting rooms or government offices. It inspired me to step behind the camera and tell stories that educate, inspire, and empower others to stand up for what they believe in.
Today, I continue my journey as an advocate, storyteller, and filmmaker, believing that every voice matters and every action has the potential to create change.
I didn’t fight a tax because it was easy. I fought it because dignity should never come at a price. And this is only the beginning of my journey.
