ISLAMABAD: In an effort to break the silence regarding menstruation, the Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) Working Group, a coalition of humanitarian organisation working to champion menstrual hygiene, hosted a panel discussion at the Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Services, ahead of the International Menstrual Hygiene Day.

The discussion focused on how the health, education and sanitation needs of girls are affected by inadequate menstrual hygiene management. Panelists talked about the lack of policies in Pakistan which support menstrual hygiene. They said women should be able to manage their specific water, sanitation and hygiene needs in regards to menstruation with safety, dignity and privacy.

“Menstrual Hygiene Management remains a taboo in Pakistan but it affects a woman’s self-esteem, health and education,” said Bella Evidente, country programme manager for UN-Habitat.

She said the MHM working group is a platform for bringing a much hushed up issue into the spotlight.

“Research shows that marginalised girls can miss up to two to four consecutive days of schools each month due to their periods which has serious implications for their education. The needs of women, particularly in regards to sanitation, must be brought to the forefront,” she added.

The chief guest at the event, MNA Romina Khursheed Alam said that it was a good sign that the civil society and the government working towards raising awareness about menstrual hygiene.

“While the issue is not openly discussed, it is high time that more voices join the cause and create a better tomorrow,” she said, adding that the government was working towards addressing gender based and health issues.

MHM Working Group senior health sector coordinator Dr Syed Rizwan said menstruation is a natural biological occurrence which has become taboo.

“We need to understand what went wrong that this natural sign of health has become a source of shame and anxiety. Access to services and facilities, social norms and inadequate information are all parts of the problem,” he said.

Managing their periods is a real problems for adolescent girls and women from low income families, said Unicef representative Angela Kearney.

“Young girls bear the brunt as they lack the knowledge and services to manage menstruation which in turn affects their learning experiences,” she said.

A short theatrical performance was also presented which demonstrated the challenge to menstrual hygiene management. Beginning with the angst of a young girl who cannot go to college for a few days each month because of inadequate water and sanitation facilities, the play continued with the girl’s mother confronting and saying that girls need proper washing facilities.

WHO and Unicef define MHM as the articulation, awareness, information and confidence to manage menstruation with safety and dignity using safe hygienic materials together with adequate water, agents and spaces for washing and bathing, and disposal with privacy and dignity. While MHM is not explicitly stated in the Sustainable Development Goals, it is implicit in goals 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8.

Published in Dawn, May 27th, 2016