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safe comfort zone with the mothers in the village . “ I told them about my own personal experiences so I could build a relationship and create a space for them to share their feelings and concerns .”
Once that barrier was broken , Khadija encouraged the mothers to talk to their daughters , and then began to have sessions with the girls themselves . “ The sessions make the girls more confident to talk about these issues with their mothers and the instructors . They help them overcome their fears about going out of the house when they ’ re menstruating .”
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PROPER HYGIENE PROMOTES HEALTH AND INSTILLS CONFIDENCE
While discussing the feelings and emotions that surround the topic of menstruation is important , it ’ s also crucial to educate girls about proper care and hygiene . This not only protects their health ; it also gives them the security of knowing they can handle the days of bleeding without worrying about the embarrassment of leaking or spotting .
Part of the MHM program is to provide girls with kits that contain sanitary napkins . Girls are accustomed to using cloth pads that they make at home and then wash , which can be both ineffective and unhygienic . By introducing them to sanitary napkins , they learn about healthier , more effective ways to manage their bleeding .
Because buying commercial , disposable pads each month is not feasible for most low-income households , girls are
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taught how to make their own pads using cotton and cloth rather than cloth alone . They are also taught how to dispose of them properly . These frank discussions and hands-on instructions further give girls the confidence that they can go out in public and attend school without fear .
THE PROGRAM IS EMBRACED BY BOTH MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS
The response to the program has been overwhelmingly positive , with mothers and daughters openly discussing an issue that was once verboten . “ The girls didn ’ t even talk about it amongst themselves ,” said Khadija . “ Now they talk about it with their younger sisters and cousins . It ’ s a huge success just having them talk .”
Khadija also sees improvements in girls ’ health and hygiene . “ Previously , they experienced more pain and infections , and they didn ’ t even understand why ,” she noted . “ Now they know what the pain is from and how they can both prevent it and treat it . We even provide hot and cold pads to help relieve the pain .”
And of course , one of the most gratifying results of the program is an increase in school attendance among girls . “ Before
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they would prefer to just stay home and avoid leaving their houses . Now they have their kits with a zipper and pads , so no one can see ,” said Khadija . “ They have their manual outlining the three steps to making their own pads , so they can go out and go to school .”
According to program manager Wajeeha Ahmad , MHM instructors also talk to girls about recognizing inappropriate touching and harassment and how to deal with them . “ The instructors are trained to recognize any concerning changes in behavior among the girls ,” she said .
In addition to supporting the MHM program , Central Asia Institute works to help these communities build the toilets , latrines , and washing facilities schools need to accommodate girls and ensure they feel comfortable and safe attending school . It ’ s all part of CAI ’ s unwavering commitment to helping girls get the education they need to learn , grow , and prosper . u
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