ISSUE 28 Menstrual Hygiene day 2024 for a Period Friendly World
Message from Editor in Chief
As we commemorated Menstrual Hygiene Day 2024 in the month of May, it is imperative to shine a light on the progress we have made and the obstacles that still hinder our journey towards menstrual equity in Pakistan. This day is not just a reminder but a call to action to address the deeply rooted issues surrounding menstrual health and hygiene. In Pakistan, millions of women and girls struggle with inadequate access to sanitary products, clean water, and safe sanitation facilities. Cultural taboos and misinformation surrounding menstruation exacerbate these challenges, leading to stigma, shame, and significant barriers to education and employment.
The impact is profound: girls miss school during their periods, women face health complications due to the use of unsafe materials, and countless individuals suffer in silence due to the pervasive stigma. Menstrual Hygiene Day is not just a day of awareness; it is a call to action. At Cyntax Health Projects, we are dedicated to leading the charge for menstrual equity in Pakistan. Through Fempure, we are continuously striving to manufacture and improve access to affordable and safe menstrual hygiene products for all menstruators in the country as well as develop inclusive approaches to educate regarding menstruation.
This issue of She Matters is a special issue on the theme “Menstrual Hygiene Day 2024: Together for a Period Friendly World”. This issue includes the one year achievements of our social venture Fempure along with messages from MHM advocates around the globe. The issue features the state of period poverty in Pakistan and how Fempure is breaking the taboo through period party. The issue also showcases the period positive workplaces of Pakistan.
We are thankful to Arundati Muralidharan Co-Founder at Menstrual Health Action for Impact, Dilip Pattubala Co-Founder & CEO Uninhibited, Jennifer Way-Ogunsola Policy Analyst at WiSE Research Center, BIENVENUE KONSIMBO Founder Girl Now, Woman Later and Samukhele Mwase R.Eng Executive Director at Meyana Foundation for their valuable messages as MHM Advocates in this issue. We are also thankful to Period Positive Workplace for supporting our team in Pakistan for making workplaces period positive.
We call upon policymakers, educators, healthcare providers, community leaders, and every one of you to join us in this mission. By working together, we can create a future where menstruation is no longer a barrier to education, employment, or health. Lets work together for a period friendly world!!!