Shazia Yousuf
BUDGAM: In a region where menstruation remains shrouded in silence and stigma, CHINAR International is quietly transforming lives by promoting menstrual health awareness among adolescent girls and their mothers across Kashmir.
Until her enrolment in CHINAR International’s Child Development Program, Sumaira Ashraf from Zoogu, Budgam, had never heard of a sanitary napkin. Hailing from a marginalized community where menstrual health is rarely discussed, Sumaira grew up witnessing her mother manage menstruation in secrecy and discomfort. That cycle, however, began to change when she started receiving quarterly female hygiene kits from CHINAR International, containing sanitary napkins and essential hygiene supplies.
“For girls like me, these kits mean dignity and confidence,” Sumaira said while speaking during a reproductive health awareness session organised by CHINAR International in Zoogu. The session was the third in a series, following similar programmes in Handwara and Shopian districts.
Through its Child Development Program, the organisation conducts awareness sessions on menstrual hygiene, reproductive health, physical changes during adolescence, and nutrition. The initiative also encourages mothers to support their daughters through open communication and informed care. “Our mothers had no awareness about menstrual hygiene and relied on unsafe practices,” said Parveena, Sumaira’s mother. “Today, I learned many important things that will help me guide my daughter better.” To ensure comfort and openness, the sessions are held in women-only spaces. “Menstrual health is still a taboo subject here. These safe spaces help women and girls speak freely without hesitation,” said Shafqat Ramzan, Program Associate at CHINAR International.
The Zoogu session was led by Sania, an STI counsellor at JLNM Hospital, who addressed physical and mental changes during adolescence, the risks of infections, and the impact of poor nutrition. She emphasized that lack of awareness often leads to untreated health issues, including anemia and infections. “Silence around menstruation is the root of many health problems,” Sania noted, urging families to move beyond age-old taboos.
Many mothers echoed concerns about communication gaps at home. “My daughter doesn’t want to talk about her periods,” said Shakeela Akhtar, another participant. “It becomes even harder when men in the family avoid such conversations altogether.” While challenges remain, initiatives like these are slowly bridging the gap. For girls like Sumaira, awareness and access are not just improving hygiene—they are reshaping attitudes, health, and self-worth in communities long held back by silence.