Islamabad 8th September : In the midst of the devastating monsoon rains and the unprecedented amounts of flooding, women in Pakistan remain to have difficulties in keeping menstrual health and hygiene.The aftermath of the monsoon rains caused the deaths of 33 million since the floods.According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) there are at the very least 1.6 million women as well as young girls who need menstrual health aid.
These women are also composed of approximately 650,000 females that are expected in September 2022 and are in require of urgent maternal health and reproductive services.
In the midst of all the essential items distributed to flood-stricken areas menstrual hygiene kits are among the items that were not given much attention due to it being regarded as a non-essential relief aid item, which can impede health and hygiene, including the danger of water and vector-borne diseases.
So, instead of ignoring this vital requirement of women and challenging down all taboos in society, two girls decided to ensure the provision of menstrual health products to women affected by the flood.
Effectively working on the ground and ensuring swift access to vital health services for women affected by the floods, Anum Khalid, a student of Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan and her online friend Bushra Mahnoor who’s also an undergraduate student of University of Punjab in Lahore began a social media campaign dubbed “Mahwari Justice” which focuses on collecting menstrual products as well as funds to be distributed to women as well as children of the flood-affected areas across Pakistan.
“In 2010 I was just 10 years old at the time floods struck Pakistan.Since I’m originally from Attock city There were numerous areas in our vicinity that were affected by floods.
I visited them with my parents to offer relief aids.My mother and I saw one girl who’s salwar (pants) were stained with blood.
My mom took her to the tent and discovered that her menstrual cycle had begun and she was unable to deal with this,” narrated Bushra Mahnoor as she spoke about how she along with her online friend Anum decided to launch the Mahwari Justice campaign.
“Then this year, when the floods are worse than those of 2010 when I received an email from a woman who was from Lasbela in Balochistan.
She told me that in this horrible situation in the shelter of a tent, her period have begun and she is left with only a leaf of a plant to make a pad” Bushra added.Bushra.
The Lasbela phone call forced both long distance buddies Anum and Bushra to speak out about the gravity of the issue and to push for action on social media.
“Mahwari Justice Campaign” has distributed MHM kits to more than 12,000 people.
The kit comes in a box that also includes a graphic of the procedure of how to make use of the pads to help even women who are illiterate to understand and comprehend,” said Anum Khalid.
MHM kits are the essential health requirements for women who menstruate.”We hope to expand the number of kits available to at least 50,000 additional women,” said Bushra Mahnoor.
From being harassed by social media platforms to breaking stereotypes that surround them, Anum Khalid and Bushra Mahnoor face a myriad of issues on a regular basis for speaking out on female menstrual health and are frequently attacked by mostly female social media users, who lashing at them for speaking about what they consider to be something that is private to women in the name of modernization that has been for decades been kept to the females.
Unfortunately menstrual health isn’t part of any NGO’s policies, but it is not an easy thing to associate with for other organizations, and we asked an reputable business (menstrual pads producer) to sponsor us and help us with menstrual pads, we were provided with 150 pads and then requested to purchase pads from them.stated Anum Khalid.
However, despite facing such significant issues of social ill-treatment and apathy, Anum and Bushra are determined to maintain their determination to achieve what their goal is.This is providing menstrual relief for females in flood-prone areas who are suffering from menstrual hygiene-related issues.
“Periods do not stop during floods.Women require help and we will ensure that they receive it in the earliest possible time,” said Anum Khalid.
hamza/pgh
