It’s Everyone’s Business, Period. Health, Hygiene and the Menstrual Taboo

Friday, April 26, 2019 - 4:00pm
B2, SDSB Basement, LUMS

The Centre of Business and Society requests your presence at their second edutainment event:

It’s Everyone’s Business, Period. Health, Hygiene and the Menstrual Taboo.

In our society, menstruation is a deeply rooted taboo and often an off-limits topic of conversation. Nearly 70% of women in Pakistan do not have proper awareness regarding menstrual hygiene. In many parts of the country, women are considered impure while menstruating and are often excluded from the community. Cultural stigma, lack of knowledge and a lack of access to menstrual hygiene products often force girls to stay home, skip school, or drop out altogether. The social and economic patterns that emerge from compromised education does not only affect young girls; it impacts the whole community. Female labour force participation, average earnings, age at marriage, number of children, bargaining power within the domestic realm, health and quality of livelihood are all impacted by an adolescent girls’ ability to get an education. Wider society and national economics both can profit from better menstruation management.

This event hopes to create a constructive dialogue regarding menstruation hygiene, the social and economic consequences of a culture that stigmatises menstruation and better menstruation management practices. It aims to educate young men and women alike about the importance of talking about an issue that has such a wide and long-lasting societal impact. The panelists at the event include various female entrepreneurs who are working towards empowering women and young girls through their projects.

The panel discussion will be followed by a musical performance by Sumera Waris and Wali Fateh Ali Khan.

Date: April 26, 2019
Venue: B2, SDSB Basement, LUMS

Panel Session
Time: 4:00 – 5:00 pm
Panel Participants: Femkins, Her Pakistan, Her Ground, Re Circle Cup, Menstrual Matters and GirlyThings

Sur Mandal Concert: Dusk Ragas
Time: 5:15 – 6:15 pm

Sumera Waris | Solo Tabla

Sumera Waris is the only Pakistani woman tabla player. Having roots in traditional classical music, she has been learning and practicing Punjab Gharana school of tabla playing for a number of years. 

Wali Fateh Ali Khan | Khyal Gayaki & Farsi Kalam

Wali is an established khyal vocalist from Afghanistan. He moved to Pakistan at an early age to become a disciple of Ustad Fateh Ali Khan of Patiala Gharana. He also remained under the guidance of Ustad Rashid Khan of Rampur Seheswan Gharana in India for several years.