IBA hosts dialogue on menstrual hygiene and tax reforms

In a joint endeavour to tackle critical issues surrounding Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) and tax reforms on sanitary products, the Center for Business and Economics (CBER) at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi, partnered with WaterAid Pakistan to organise a provincial dialogue at the varsity’s city campus.

The event, attended by key stakeholders, delved into policy discussions and strategies aimed at enhancing MHM integration into provincial frameworks and advocating for necessary tax reforms related to sanitary products.

WaterAid Pakistan Provincial Manager, Muhammad Khaliq, extended a warm welcome to participants, emphasising the organisation's commitment to MHM integration and its impactful initiatives in marginalised regions such as Thatta and Malir.

Khaliq stressed the pivotal role of MHM integration in upholding the dignity and well-being of women and girls across the province.

Addressing the gap analysis of MHM and tax reforms, WaterAid Pakistan Gender Advisor, Raheema Panhwar, underscored the challenges within governmental policies at both provincial and national levels.

Panhwar emphasised the urgent need for comprehensive revisions to effectively address MHM needs and combat stigmatisation.

CBER-IBA Director, Dr Lubna Naz, moderated a panel discussion featuring esteemed panellists including Indus Resource Centre Executive Director Sadiqa Sallahuddin, Freelance Journalist Zofeen T Ebrahim and others.

During the discussion, Sallahuddin advocated for the incorporation of MHM into educational curricula and emphasised the necessity of female-friendly washrooms in schools.

Ebrahim highlighted the evolving discourse on menstrual hygiene in the media and stressed the importance of open discussions to challenge stereotypes.

Dr Shaikh emphasised the critical role of clean water in preventing health complications associated with unhygienic menstrual practices.

Concluding the event, National Assembly Member Rana Ansar, underscored the imperative of comprehensive strategies and political will to address societal issues effectively. She praised the invaluable contribution of WaterAid in tackling pressing societal issues, particularly in MHM management, and emphasised the need for efficient policy implementation to ensure equitable access to essential services.

The provincial dialogue served as a platform for meaningful discussions and collaborative efforts toward fostering a more inclusive and progressive society.