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 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.