Pakistan has reached a major milestone in the fight for menstrual justice, with Bushra Mahnoor, founder of the period education and advocacy organization Mahwari Justice, receiving the prestigious 2026 Commonwealth Youth Award for Asia.
Presented annually, the award recognizes outstanding changemakers under the age of 30 who are creating meaningful impact in their communities across the Commonwealth.
Selected from nearly 1,000 nominations spanning 56 countries, Mahnoor became only the fourth Pakistani, and just the second Pakistani woman, to receive the honour, marking Pakistan’s first win in six years.
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
Along with the recognition, she was awarded a ÂŁ3,000 grant to support the expansion of Mahwari Justice’s initiatives.
Mahnoor founded Mahwari Justice in 2022 during Pakistan’s devastating floods after recognising that “periods don’t stop in a climate crisis.” She began by assembling and distributing emergency menstrual hygiene kits to women stranded in flood-affected communities.
Since then, the youth-led organization has grown into a nationwide movement, reaching more than 175,000 people through its work to improve menstrual health awareness, education, and access across Pakistan.
