Dispelling the Myths Around Menstruation Helps Girls Get an Education
by Molly Shapiro
In the remote mountain villages of Gilgit-Baltistan in northern Pakistan , young girls confront many challenges in their pursuit of an education — from poverty to lack of transportation to conservative cultural norms that confine girls and women to the domestic sphere . One barrier to education that is rarely discussed — yet highly disruptive to girls ’ daily lives — is menstruation .
While menstrual bleeding is a fact of life for women and girls , a simple bodily function that requires proper hygiene and care , in these conservative communities , the topic of menstruation is taboo . There are many harmful myths associated with it that hamper girls ’ ability to go to school , work , and participate in normal activities inside and outside of the home .
Girls and women do not talk about menstruation , and that leads to shame , misconceptions , and poor hygiene . Families restrict girls who have their period from going to school and doing chores around the house because they see them as unclean and impure . Girls are isolated and made to feel fearful about interacting with others during menses . Even when girls are allowed to go to school , their discomfort and worry about staining their clothes and their lack of access to proper sanitation facilities often make them choose not to attend at all .
OPENING THE LINES OF COMMUNICATION THROUGH TRUST
To address this critical issue , one of the Central Asia Institute ’ s partners in Pakistan has devised a program called Menstruation Health Management ( MHM ) that is changing not only general attitudes but individual lives . The goal is to dispel the myths around menstruation through open discussion and education so girls can gain critical knowledge and confidence , learn appropriate self-care , and be able to continue living their normal lives when they have their period .
One of the most important aspects of the MHM program in Gilgit-Baltistan , which was launched in January 2021 , is to ensure that those conducting the training are trusted by the girls and their families . “ We decided to choose someone from the local community , who understands their culture and norms and speaks their language ,” explained Wajeeha Ahmad , program manager . “ Girls and their parents feel more comfortable talking to someone in their own language .”
Khadija is a regional coordinator in Gilgit-Baltistan who ’ s been doing community work for more than a decade , so she ’ s experienced and knowledgeable about how to establish a relationship of openness and trust . However , dealing with the taboo subject of menstruation presented new challenges , even for her .
“ The first time I was in the field , it was very difficult . There was so much hesitation and shyness about having a lady come into the village to talk about this issue ,” said Khadija . Still was able to break the ice by first establishing a
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