Pakistani youth activist Bushra Mahnoor has won the 2026 Commonwealth Youth Award for Asia, marking a major achievement for menstrual health advocacy in the country.
The annual award recognizes outstanding changemakers under the age of 30 who create meaningful social impact in their communities across the Commonwealth.
Mahnoor, the founder of Mahwari Justice, emerged among nearly 1,000 entries from 56 countries. She became the fourth Pakistani and the second Pakistani woman to receive the prestigious regional honor.
The award also ended a six-year gap since a Pakistani last secured the recognition. In addition, Mahnoor received a £3,000 grant to expand the work of her organization.
She founded Mahwari Justice in 2022 after devastating floods affected large parts of Pakistan. During the disaster, she recognized that menstrual health remained an urgent need despite the humanitarian crisis.
Mahnoor began assembling and distributing emergency menstrual hygiene kits to women living in isolated flood-affected communities. Consequently, the initiative quickly evolved into a nationwide youth-led movement.
Today, Mahwari Justice has reached more than 175,000 people across Pakistan through education, awareness campaigns and welfare initiatives focused on menstrual health.
Furthermore, Mahnoor introduced a disability-inclusive menstruation guide to improve access to essential health education. The organization translated the guide into Braille and is preparing a version in sign language.
Her international recognition followed another major achievement in Pakistan. Working alongside legal activists Mahnoor Omer and Alisha Shabbir, she helped lead a campaign against luxury taxes on feminine hygiene products.
The campaign gathered support from more than 10,000 citizens through a national petition demanding tax removal. Subsequently, the federal government withdrew the taxes on sanitary pads in the Federal Budget 2026-27.
Mahnoor said her mission is to eliminate stigma surrounding menstruation while expanding access to education and healthcare. She continues advocating for menstrual care to be recognized as a fundamental human right for everyone.
