QUETTA: Speakers on Wednesday highlighted critical role of improved Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) in enhancing women’s and girls’ well-being and they asserted on the collaborative efforts to improve the lives of millions of women and girls of Balochistan.
To highlight the challenges pertaining to Menstrual Hygiene (MH) faced by women and adolescent girls in Pakistan, the Menstrual Health Management Working Group (MHMWG) Secretariat, Balochistan held a special event in connection with International MH Day 2024.
This global event, crucial for the well-being of millions of women and girls, was organized in collaboration with GIZ, IRC, Mercy Corps, UNICEF, UNFPA, Water Aid, Qatar Charity, Islamic Relief, and other members of the MHM Working Group.
Officials from relevant government departments, including Health and Education, along with representatives from diverse segments of society such as academia, CSOs, and media, participated in the event.
Stressing the need to raise awareness and educate parents a
nd adolescent girls about Menstrual Hygiene, Abdullah Khan, Secretary Population, Balochistan, said, ‘the stigma and ignorance related to MH can be a serious health hazard. Therefore, we need to educate society about safe menstrual health practices and make hygiene products accessible to all menstruating women and adolescent girls.’
Chairperson MHMWG, Dr. Tahira Kamal informed the participants that the Working Group has made critical inroads in raising awareness and initiating a broader dialogue across Balochistan. While mentioning the support provided by partner organizations, she expressed optimism that these collaborative efforts would cultivate a women- and girls-friendly society in terms of policies and improved facilities, especially for better MH management.
UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office Balochistan, Maryam Darwesh on the occasion said promoting MHM has a vital role to make it happen and UNICEF would continue to support initiatives aiming at empowering women and girls.
Chairperson Balochistan Commi
ssion for the Status of Women Fouzia Shaheen enlightened the audience how her departments is taking the agenda of women empowerment through various initiatives and policies. Director Education Munir Ahmad said that menstrual hygiene is still considered a taboo subject, especially in conservative settings.
Development Communication and Policy Advocacy Specialist, Shafqat Aziz highlighted that it is imperative to take the right measures to improve girls’ access to the knowledge, tools, and facilities they need to manage menstrual hygiene with dignity and confidence.
Dr Sarmad Saeed, from UNFPA said that most girls in Pakistan lack the information and knowledge pertaining to issues associated with menstruation.
Rabia Baloch, Technical adviser GIZ, while offering a vote of thanks to guests, said, ‘Currently, not many have access to MH products that can help women and girls manage their menstrual cycles. GIZ will continue to support endeavors to raise awareness on MHM in the future as well.’
The speakers under
scored the importance of recognizing that Menstrual Health and Hygiene is a basic human right of children and young people, essential for developing an inclusive society.
The event also highlighted the #NoChutti Campaign, which aims to provide girls with an enabling environment at schools with MHM facilities. Participants were informed that a policy dialogue around MHM product tax reforms is ongoing at the federal and provincial levels, a UNICEF-supported initiative. Additionally, it was highlighted that, with the support of GIZ, the Provincial MHM Policy is in process, aiming to further enhance the accessibility and awareness of MH products and facilities across the region.