Mahwari Justice founder beat nearly 1,000 entries from 56 countries to become fourth Pakistani to receive honour
Pakistan’s fight for menstrual justice hit a major milestone as Bushra Mahnoor, the inspiring founder of the period education and welfare group Mahwari Justice, was awarded the prestigious 2026 Commonwealth Youth Award for Asia.
Presented annually, the awards honour young changemakers under 30 years of age who are making a difference in their communities.
Standing out in a pool of nearly 1,000 entries from 56 countries, Mahnoor became the fourth Pakistani, and the second Pakistani woman, to ever receive the honour, breaking a six-year drought for Pakistan.
Congratulations to Bushra Mahnoor from Pakistan, our Asia regional winner! 🇵🇰
Through Mahwari Justice, she is championing menstrual health and gender equality and helping to expand access to affordable period products across Pakistan.#CYA2026 pic.twitter.com/TDuOFwnpN7
— Commonwealth Youth (@ComSecYouth) June 25, 2026
Alongside the honour, Mahnoor received a £3,000 grant to help scale her organisation’s goals.
Starting Mahwari Justice in 2022 when devastating floods drowned parts of Pakistan, Mahnoor recognised that “periods don’t stop in a climate crisis.” She then began assembling and distributing emergency feminine hygiene kits to women in cut-off, flood-hit areas.
The youth-led organisation has since evolved into a massive social movement, reaching over 175,000 people across the country.
What makes Mahnoor’s work stand out is her dedication to leaving no one behind. The changemaker spearheaded a first-of-its-kind, disability-inclusive guide on menstruation in order to ensure that visually-impaired and hearing-impaired individuals have access to vital education. Mahwari Justice translated the guide into braille and is also producing a sign language version of the guide.
Mahnoor’s global victory came right on the heels of a massive policy victory at home. Alongside legal activists Mahnoor Omer and Alisha Shabbir, Mahnoor was a primary force in the fight against luxury taxes on feminine hygiene products, mobilising over 10,000 citizens to sign a national petition demanding tax removal.
The Pakistani government officially withdrew the taxes on sanitary pads in the Federal Budget 2026-27.
By dismantling deep-rooted social taboos, translating health guides for the impaired, and helping change national laws, Mahnoor aims to ensure that menstrual care is recognised for what it truly is: a fundamental human right.