Menstrual hygiene management in flood-affected Pakistan: Addressing challenges and ensuring women's health and dignity

Zarnab Tufail; Wania Ahmer; Shanza Gulzar; Muhammad Hasanain; Hussain Haider Shah

doi:10.3389/fgwh.2023.1238526

Menstrual hygiene management in flood-affected Pakistan: Addressing challenges and ensuring women's health and dignity

Front Glob Womens Health. 2023 Aug 2:4:1238526. doi: 10.3389/fgwh.2023.1238526. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Zarnab Tufail¹, Wania Ahmer², Shanza Gulzar², Muhammad Hasanain³, Hussain Haider Shah²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medicine, Gujranwala Medical College, Gujranwala, Pakistan.
² Department of Medicine, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan.
³ Department of Internal Medicine, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.

Abstract

Pakistan's recent floods have worsened women's and girls' menstrual hygiene problems, compromising their health, dignity, and well-being. Supply chain issues, poor facilities, and cultural stigma limit menstrual products and hygiene management. Gender-sensitive disaster management and menstrual health education programmes can help. The Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) can provide emergency reproductive health services. Involving men, working with religious leaders, and pre-disaster planning for menstrual hygiene management can help break the taboo and increase access to resources. Meeting ongoing needs requires timely menstrual hygiene product distribution, restocking, and renewal. By addressing these issues, Pakistan can empower post-flood women and girls through economic opportunities and legal protection.

Keywords: floods and menstrual health; gender-sensitive disaster management; menstrual hygiene in Pakistan; menstrual hygiene in emergencies; menstrual hygiene management (MHM); minimum initial service package (MISP) for sexual and reproductive health.