Period poverty is an ongoing global issue that prohibits millions of girls and women from living their daily lives. Limited access to sanitary products, clean water and sanitation means women, especially those living in developing countries, struggle with their menstrual health and personal hygiene. The impact of this is damaging as it keeps many girls and women from attending school or work.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 1.5 billion people worldwide are still deprived of access to basic sanitation facilities. Period poverty also arises from the lack of education and proper awareness of one’s menstrual health. Even today, many girls only come to know about menstruation once they experience it. That said, here are three organizations improving menstrual health awareness in Pakistan, as well as equipping them with the tools they need.

HER

HER is a women-headed organization focusing on creating lifelong social change by supporting communities to overcome the menstrual-related obstructions they face. It does this by delivering educational programs such as the “School Puberty Education Program,” which is aimed at educating and providing training to parents and teachers. Hence, they are aware of puberty changes and can create safe spaces for their children.

“Oh my period” is a group run by the organization which allows girls and women to openly talk about everything related to menstruation and provides the opportunity for young people to learn from one another’s experiences. HER also encourages policy change, hoping to end poverty and reduce the stigma around menstruation by advocating for menstrual equity. The organization has served 38,000 periods, impacting more than 110,000 people.

Santex

Santex is a well-known pioneer in the personal hygiene brand. Founded in 1983, it began as a family-led business focusing on providing a healthy lifestyle for everyone, irrespective of their socioeconomic background. It aims to develop innovative and unique sanitary products to serve women from all corners of Pakistan. One of its leading products, “Butterfly” sanitary pads, was the first “stick-on” menstruation product in Pakistan. In Santex’s own words, it is “the only company to introduce breathable sanitary napkins and panty liners in Pakistan that allows women to breeze through puberty and periods.”

The organization aims to remove taboos relating to menstruation and raise awareness about personal hygiene. In 2022, Santex joined hands with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to continue the discussion of period poverty and barriers women face due to a lack of menstrual health awareness. Both organizations have committed to developing innovative research that will provide high-quality and safe menstrual products for women. Santex has served more than one million periods and trained 184,867 women regarding menstrual health.

Aahung

Aahung, a nonprofit organization founded in Karachi in 1995, aims to spread awareness and improve the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of women, men and youths across Pakistan. The organization focuses on empowering and educating young girls and women about their reproductive health rights. This is achieved by disseminating information and ensuring high-quality access to health care facilities. Aahung collaborates with educational institutions and workplace structures to deliver training to people through its various programs.

In 2022, the organization reached 73,645 people, trained 75 schoolteachers and held 40 training sessions to educate parents about SRHR. When catastrophic floods hit Sindh in 2022, Aahung worked to ensure young girls and women facing menstrual issues during the crisis were not abandoned. The organization distributed 300 menstrual kits containing essential sanitary products, soap and other personal hygiene items. It also held informational sessions where women could openly discuss menstruation-related issues and receive needed support.

Final Thoughts

The stigma around a woman’s period remains widespread and is a primary cause of period poverty in developing nations. However, the organizations mentioned above are making significant progress in reducing the taboo surrounding women’s bodies and health. Their work will continue to improve menstrual health awareness in Pakistan, to the benefit of many women across the country.

– Aleena Shahid

Aleena is based in Bradford, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr