MANY people would say there is little need for something as ‘mundane’ as menstruation to be acknowledged at an international level. In fact, they are comfortable with the culture of silence that surrounds the issue. However, if they were present, or read an account of what was discussed on Wednesday at an event in Islamabad to celebrate World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2017, they may have emerged with a better understanding of how it can impact the public sphere in far-reaching ways. Speakers on the occasion highlighted the link between the menstrual cycle and girls’ education in Pakistan. When schools have inadequate facilities to support girls who have menstrual hygiene needs, it affects their school enrolment and dropout rate, besides contributing to absenteeism. Studies conducted by organisations involved in advocating for menstrual hygiene show that 11pc more girls in this country would attend school if this problem was addressed.

Menstruation is thus not just a normal bodily function; it has very real and practical consequences. If these are not factored in, it will be difficult to increase girls’ enrolment, a goal that all provinces have committed to. Also, girls’ often have to travel long distances to reach secondary schools because the catchment area for them is much bigger than it is for primary schools; this is where there is a confluence of the two main reasons for girls’ high dropout rate — lack of sanitation facilities and access. If the school does not have toilets or if they are not functional, a crucial concern particularly when they have their monthly cycle, then the only option for girls is to make their way home again, an impractical and ultimately discouraging exercise. When girls are experiencing menstrual discomfort, they are even less likely to attend their classes if sanitation facilities are missing. In a society like Pakistan, where many families already have misgivings about older girls going to school, the lack of infrastructure to meet menstrual hygiene needs should not add to their reservations.

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2017