supporting girls for menstrual health in Pakistan

1. Executive Summary

This report presents the goals, activities, outcomes, challenges, and future recommendations of Joy Foundation Pakistan’s initiative, “Supporting Girls for Menstrual Health.” The project addresses menstrual health as a critical issue affecting girls’ dignity, education, and overall well-being.

Through a combination of education, provision of sanitary products, infrastructure improvements, and community engagement, the program aims to reduce the cultural, economic, and informational barriers that limit girls’ ability to manage menstruation safely, confidently, and with dignity.

2. Background and Rationale

Prevalence of Poor Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM)

Many girls and women in Pakistan lack access to essential hygiene products, clean water, and private, safe sanitation facilities. These gaps significantly affect their health, comfort, and participation in daily life.

Knowledge Gaps and Social Stigma

A large number of adolescent girls have little or no knowledge about menstruation before their first period. Information is often passed informally through mothers or female relatives, while formal education systems and school curricula inadequately address menstrual health. Social taboos, myths, and silence around menstruation remain widespread.

Impact on Education and School Attendance

Absenteeism among schoolgirls during menstruation is high. Studies indicate that in some districts, more than half of adolescent girls miss school during their menstrual cycle. Poor sanitation facilities, fear of staining, physical discomfort, and lack of privacy are key contributing factors.

Health Risks

The use of unhygienic materials, improper washing and drying of reusable cloths, and lack of safe menstrual waste disposal can lead to infections such as urinary tract infections and fungal infections, posing both short- and long-term health risks.

Period Poverty and Infrastructure Gaps

Many families cannot afford sanitary pads, and many schools and public facilities lack adequate water supply, toilets, soap, changing spaces, and safe disposal mechanisms. These infrastructure gaps further worsen menstrual health challenges.

3. Project Objectives

The project aims to:

Increase awareness and knowledge among girls (approximately 11–20 years) about menstrual biology, hygiene best practices, and their health rights

Provide access to affordable or free sanitary products, reducing reliance on unhygienic alternatives

Improve sanitation and privacy infrastructure in schools and community centers so girls can manage menstruation safely and with dignity

Engage communities, families, schools, and health professionals to reduce stigma and myths and to foster a supportive environment

Reduce school absenteeism and dropout rates linked to menstrual health challenges

4. Activities Conducted

Below are the main strategies and interventions carried out under the project:

Education and Workshops

Interactive sessions were conducted in schools with adolescent girls, covering menstrual biology, hygiene practices, pain management, and available product options. Educational booklets and visual aids were distributed. Counseling sessions were also provided for girls experiencing specific challenges such as severe pain or heavy bleeding.

Provision of Sanitary Kits

Sanitary pads and reusable pads were distributed to girls who could not afford them. Some hygiene kits also included soap, underwear, and disposal bags to support safe and hygienic menstrual practices.

Infrastructure Improvements

Separate, girl-friendly toilets were constructed or upgraded in selected schools. Facilities were equipped with water supply, lockable doors for privacy, soap, and disposal bins for menstrual waste.

Community and Family Engagement

Awareness sessions were held with parents, teachers, community leaders, and local health workers to address myths and taboos, promote open dialogue, and encourage family and community support for girls’ menstrual health.

1. Executive Summary

This report presents the goals, activities, outcomes, challenges, and future recommendations of Joy Foundation Pakistan’s initiative “Supporting Girls for Menstrual Health.” The project addresses menstrual health as a critical issue affecting girls’ dignity, education, and well-being. Through education, provision of sanitary products, infrastructure improvements, and community engagement, our program seeks to reduce the barriers cultural, economic, informational that limit girls’ ability to manage menstruation safely and confidently.

2. Background and Rationale

Prevalence of Poor Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) Many girls and women in Pakistan lack access to essential hygiene products, clean water, and private, clean sanitation facilities.

Knowledge Gaps & Social Stigma A large portion of adolescent girls have little to no prior knowledge about menstruation before their first period. Mothers and female family members are often the primary source of information, while formal education / school curricula often do not adequately address the issue. Taboos, myths and silence around menstruation persist.

Impact on Education & Attendance Absenteeism among schoolgirls during menstruation is high. Studies show that in certain districts, more than half of adolescent girls miss school when menstruating. Poor facilities, fear of staining, discomfort, and lack of privacy are major contributing factors.

Health Risks Use of unhygienic materials, inadequate washing or drying of cloth, and lack of menstrual waste disposal lead to infections (e.g. urinary tract infections, fungal infections), and long-term risks.

Period Poverty & Infrastructure Gaps Many cannot afford sanitary pads; many schools and public facilities lack proper water, toilets, soap, changing rooms, and safe disposal options.

3. Objectives

The project aims to:

• Increase awareness and knowledge among girls (ages approx. 11–20) about menstrual biology, hygiene best practices, and rights.
• Provide access to affordable or free sanitary products, reducing reliance on unhygienic alternatives.
• Improve sanitation and privacy infrastructure in schools / community centers, so girls can manage menstruation safely and with dignity.
• Engage communities, families, schools, and health specialists to reduce stigma, myths, and to foster a supportive environment.
• Reduce school absenteeism & dropout rates linked to menstrual challenges.

4. Activities Conducted

Below are the main strategies and interventions carried out (or planned), with examples:

• Intervention

Description

• Education & Workshops

Held interactive sessions in schools with adolescent girls on menstrual biology, hygiene, pain management, product options. Distributed booklets, visual aids. Counselling sessions for girls who have special challenges (deep pain, heavy bleeding).

• Provision of Sanitary Kits

Distributed sanitary pads / reusable pads to girls who cannot afford them. Some kits included soap, underwear, disposal bags.

• Infrastructure Improvements

Upgraded or built separate toilets for girls in schools, ensured water supply, privacy (lockable doors), soap, disposal bins.

• Community & Family Engagement

Sessions with parents, community leaders, and teachers to reduce myths/taboos, encourage support for girls; involving local health workers.

• Monitoring & Support

Followup visits to schools to check usage of facilities, product utilization, feedback; health checkups for girls with menstrual disorders; referrals where needed.