Introduction

Menstrual health is often overlooked in global development agendas, yet it plays a critical role in advancing multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In Pakistan, limited data on menstrual health has hindered policymakers, healthcare providers, and advocates from designing effective interventions. Without accurate, gender-sensitive data, progress toward goals like good health (SDG 3), gender equality (SDG 5), quality education (SDG 4), and clean water and sanitation (SDG 6) remains slow and fragmented.

The State of Menstrual Health Data in Pakistan

Pakistan faces significant challenges in collecting and utilizing menstrual health data:

• Limited Surveys: National surveys (e.g., Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey) rarely include detailed indicators on menstrual hygiene practices.
• Urban-Rural Divide: Rural areas, where stigma and lack of access to products are more severe, are underrepresented in available data.
• School Absenteeism: UNICEF estimates that nearly 23% of Pakistani girls miss school during menstruation, but official tracking is minimal.
• Healthcare Gaps: Data on menstrual-related disorders, access to gynecological care, and prevalence of period poverty is largely absent from health information systems.

Why This Data Matters for SDGs

SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being:
Menstrual disorders such as heavy bleeding and anemia affect women’s health outcomes. Without proper data, healthcare systems cannot allocate resources or track treatment success effectively.

SDG 4 – Quality Education:
Girls missing school due to inadequate menstrual hygiene facilities contributes to gender disparities in education. Data on absenteeism and school sanitation is crucial for targeted interventions.

SDG 5 – Gender Equality:
Menstrual stigma reinforces discrimination. Tracking menstrual health indicators helps address inequities in workplace policies, healthcare access, and social participation.

SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation:
Many schools and public spaces lack proper sanitation facilities for menstrual hygiene management. Monitoring infrastructure gaps supports investments in safe and dignified solutions.

SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth:
Period poverty and lack of workplace support can reduce women’s labor force participation. Data helps measure and close these gender gaps.

Leveraging Data for Impact

• Incorporating Indicators: National surveys must include detailed menstrual health questions covering access to products, facilities, and menstrual disorders.
• Disaggregated Data: Collecting data by age, location, disability status, and socioeconomic background ensures policies reach marginalized groups.
• Big Data and Technology: Mobile apps, social media analytics, and digital reporting can complement traditional surveys for real-time menstrual health tracking.
• Cross-Sector Collaboration: Education, health, and labor departments must share data to create integrated solutions addressing menstrual inequities.

Path Forward for Pakistan

To accelerate progress across SDGs, Pakistan needs a comprehensive menstrual health data strategy that:

• Establishes a national menstrual health database linked to health and education indicators.
• Encourages public-private partnerships for funding menstrual health research.
• Promotes community-based participatory research to capture grassroots realities.
• Ensures menstrual health data is used for policy reform, not just reporting.

Conclusion

Menstrual health is not just a women’s issue—it’s a fundamental human rights and development concern. By closing data gaps, Pakistan can design evidence-based policies that improve education outcomes, enhance healthcare delivery, promote gender equality, and ensure no girl or woman is left behind. Tracking menstrual health data is not optional—it is essential for achieving the SDGs and building a healthier, more equitable society.