Paving the Way for Menstrual Hygiene

Management in Pakistan

By: Syed Shah Nasir KhisroExecutive Director Integrated Regional Support ProgramPakistan

ASIA REGIONAL SANITATION AND HYGIENE PRACTITIONERS WORKSHOP, Dhaka 2012

About IRSP

• A continuation of Pak-German IRDP (1986-1999)• Registered in 2000 • WASH and Disaster Management Expert organization• Pilot CLTS in Pakistan

About the Study

• To find out MHM challenges in Rural Pakistan• To Learn about the challenges/coping mechanism girls reaching

puberty in Schools• To assess the effects of poor management on schooling, health and

adolescence psyche • To find out the degree of involvement of parents and teachers

Findings of the Study

• Sample size 250 (200 students and 50 parents and teachers)• 56% teachers and 80% mothers recognizing the challenge for the

first time• 44% teachers and 20% mothers have some response to the

challenge (before the study)• 74% students have some knowledge about the issue

contd

• 50% student attendance and 58% girls school performance was affected

• 70 to 80% young girls are unable to communicate with mothers/teachers/sisters and friends

• 50 to 60% mothers and teachers demanded for safe sanitary pads disposal

• 52% of the young girls can not afford sanitary pads (currently available at the market)

contd

• 70% school going girls use unhygienic cloth, toilet papers, piece of scarf

Suggestions and solution

• Local people may be trained to produce economical material • Extensive sessions with mothers, teachers and girls reaching puberty • Establishment of menstrual friendly space in schools with the help of

education department• Proper mechanism for disposing of the used material• Establishment of menstrual hygiene clubs and arrangement of

exchange visits• Advocacy with govt to focus on the challenge

MHM Training with different stakeholders

TRG Mother Support Group TRG Activists/ LHW

Teachers TRG

Conducting MHM TRG

Group work during TRG

Session with young girls on MHM