Awareness Session Highlights Urgent Need for Female Hygiene and Reproductive Health Education

An informative session on female hygiene and reproductive health was held Thursday at the KIOCA Seminar Hall of PMAS Arid Agriculture University, attracting over 60 students, both male and female. The event was organized by the Programme on Development Alternatives (PODA) in collaboration with the District Population Office, as part of the ongoing “Her Health, Her Rights” youth-led campaign.

Nabeela Aslam, a representative of PODA, spoke in detail about the organisation’s efforts in promoting the rights of women, youth, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized groups — especially rural women. She highlighted PODA’s role in creating awareness around sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) through multi-level engagement, ranging from schools to government departments.

Aslam introduced PODA’s upcoming 18th Annual Rural Women Leadership Training Conference, and also discussed ongoing initiatives under the “Reduce Early Marriages to Enhance Gender Equality” project, supported by the Norwegian Embassy in Islamabad.

Citing a real-life example, she spoke about an eighth-grade girl who developed kidney failure due to an early marriage, using the case to emphasize the long-term health risks associated with such practices. She also warned of widespread menstrual hygiene issues, including incorrect sanitary pad use, lack of bathing, and water avoidance during menstruation, which can lead to urinary tract infections and other health complications.