1. Paving the Way for Menstrual
Hygiene Management in
Pakistan
By: Syed Shah Nasir Khisro
Executive Director
Integrated Regional Support Program
Pakistan
ASIA REGIONAL SANITATION AND HYGIENE
PRACTITIONERS WORKSHOP, Dhaka 2012

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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)

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

7. 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

9. MHM Training with different
stakeholders
TRG Mother Support Group TRG Activists/ LHW Conducting MHM TRG
Teachers TRG Group work during TRG

10. Session with young girls on MHM