Wednesday 17th April 2024: Under the PODA’s project “Reduce Early Marriages to Enhance Gender Equality”, funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy, Islamabad an informative educational awareness session on menstrual hygiene management and nutrition was conducted in a Public Sector Girls High School, Sargodha in which around 70 students and teachers participated.

PODA Woman Leader from Sargodha, Qaisara Ismail with the support of Head of Pakistan Girl Guide Association (Girl Guide House Sargodha), Sughra Alam, Senior Headmistress of the school jointly organized the awareness raising session on the management of menstrual hygiene and nutrition in which 63 students participated. Along-with access to safe, affordable menstrual products, receiving required information and knowledge regarding these taboo subjects are primary challenges towards proper menstrual hygiene management for which PODA is imparting information on the mentioned aspects to thousands of school girls in the 41 districts of Punjab. Through these sessions, facilitators are demystifying the myths attached with menstruation for example to avoid bathing. Renowned gynecologist of the area, Dr Humera Azhar led the session and helped the girl students to take periods normally. However, in case of severe pain and other symptoms the students were advised to get professional help. Sughra Alam taught them how to prepare a cheap affordable and reusable sanitary pads which minimally effect the climate.

A health club was also set up formally under the supervision of a senior teacher Sajida Parveen as the focal person of the 12-member club whose members received initial support to tackle emergency situation concerning with periods.