‘Roshan Deo' women on menstrual products, safe disposal & environment impact

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While travelling to the District Kamber-Shahdadkot as part of our collaboration with the EU-funded SUCCESS Program and its field partner Sindh Rural Support Organization (SRSO), we met15 community leaders and members of the Local Support Organization ‘Roshan Deo' and discussed menstrual hygiene management with them. 

These spirited rural women work closely with the local governments to implement development initiatives, raise awareness, and address village issues.  

In our entire field trip, we've done activities like storytelling, interviews, art campaigns and talking on myths and misconceptions and more, but this time we wanted to run demonstration exercises like how to properly dispose of sanitary pads and how to design washable pads using an online tutorial.

The conversation began by explaining to them the purpose of the visit. We started off with a survey that included questions in the local language to learn about their practices and menstrual management methods. It was so kind of the SRSO team that facilitated us in data collection.


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Later, we showed the participants a sanitary pad and explained how long it could be used for and showed the way to dispose it off properly. We also spoke about how its improper disposal could harm the environment.

Research says that the majority of washable menstrual pads are designed to last longer. When compared to the cost of disposable products over the life span, washable cloth pads are much more cost-effective. So, the participants were guided through an online tutorial about making washable pads at home.  

Key Learnings:

  • The majority of the community leaders/members present were married and aged. Many of them did not use pads, but they are aware of the product since their daughters use sanitary pads. This indicates that the young generation in villages also prefers pads over clothes.

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  • The demonstration exercise assisted the participants in learning more about how to use and properly dispose of the product.

  • We found that the women can use their skills to design cost-effective washable sanitary pads in their community.

Reporting contributions by Ms. Anjum Malik, SUCCESS Communications Officer RSPN and Documentation & Reporting Officer SRSO Ms. Shaiwana Pathan.

Shaiwana Pathan