Eminent individuals have called for the inclusion of menstrual health education in the curriculum and ensuring teacher training. They recommended establishing counseling and basic healthcare services in schools, conducting awareness programs on sanitary pad management and disposal, encouraging open discussions about menstruation within families and ensuring the participation of male members, and promoting positive messaging on social media to increase adolescent girls’ engagement.
On the occasion of Menstrual Hygiene Day, an interactive awareness session was held on Wednesday morning at the premises of Kallyanpur Girls School & College. The event was jointly organized by PSDI Consultancy and Kallyanpur Girls School & College, with Stay Safe Sanitary Napkin as the hygiene partner.
In celebration of “Menstrual Hygiene Day 2025,” around 400 students participated directly in the session, while approximately 1,200 students were informed about menstrual hygiene through this school-based campaign.
Distinguished guests present at the session included the institution’s Principal Shahnaj Begum, PSDI Consultancy’s Director (Brand & Business Development) Md. Ishaque Faruquee, development professional and physician Dr. Parveen Akter, physician Dr. Tanima Mitilda Ghosh, child psychologist Irin Pervin Tamanna, PSDI’s Manager (Communication & Business Development) Manas Mistry, and Manager (Arts & Culture) Tanjima Tabassum Easha.
During the session, adolescent girls shared various physical and emotional challenges related to menstruation and received relevant advice from the attending specialists.
At the event, Shahnaj Begum, Principal of Kalyanpur Girls School and College, said that girls usually begin menstruating while they are in grade six. During this time, it is crucial for teachers to stand by the students with sincerity and provide support through accurate information.
Md. Ishaque Faruquee, Director (Brand and Business Development) of PSDI Consultancy, stated that menstruation is a natural cycle of life. It typically begins during adolescence, between the ages of 10 and 14. Instead of fear or embarrassment, what is needed is support and awareness.
Prior to this awareness initiative, PSDI Consultancy and the school jointly conducted a survey that revealed valuable insights into students’ knowledge and practices regarding menstrual health.
Key Findings from the Survey:
• 95.5% of students use sanitary pads, and 66% receive them from their mothers.
• Only 10.5% of students have a clear understanding of sanitary pad disposal, which is concerning.
• 79.7% of adolescent girls learn about menstruation first from their mothers. However, 6.8% of girls never discuss menstruation, and 30.8% talk about it with peers of the same age.
• 51.8% of students do not seek any medical care for menstrual issues.
• 66% of adolescent girls do not read menstrual health-related posts on social media.
These findings highlight the critical need to enhance awareness and education on menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls.
Recommendations:
• Integrate menstrual health education into the curriculum and provide training for teachers.
• Ensure the availability of counseling and basic healthcare services at schools.
• Launch effective awareness campaigns on sanitary pad management and proper disposal.
• Encourage inclusive family conversations by involving fathers, brothers, and friends.
• Promote positive messaging on social media and encourage active participation from adolescents.
This initiative marks a significant step towards breaking the ongoing taboos around menstruation and fostering informed, positive, and enriching discussions on hygiene among adolescent girls.
