Integrating menstrual hygiene management (MHM) in disaster health response: lessons from 2022 Pakistan floods

Abstract The Integration of menstrual hygiene management (MHM) is one of the most important issues in disaster health response yet remains neglected by the policy decision-makers and disaster management authorities alike. The 2022 monsoon floods in Pakistan wrecked the country, drowning more than one-third of its land, causing huge losses of lives, livestock, healthcare services and systems, and infrastructure, leading to widespread displacement. Among the challenges faced by the affected and displaced populations, MHM remained a critical yet neglected aspect of the disaster relief response. Inadequate MHM-focused disaster relief activities presented women with several challenges such as reproductive tract infections (RTIs), increased risk of gender-based violence, and violation of their dignity. This article is based on qualitative interviews as well as focused group discussions with the various stakeholders involved in disaster response and relief activities and the affected populations, respectively. The findings helped in examining the ways of integrating MHM into broader disaster relief efforts. This study provides actionable strategies to policymakers, and health practitioners organizations to enhance MHM’s inclusion in future disaster response efforts by examining the challenges faced by women and their resilience to face them. These recommendations encompass policy reforms, capacity-building initiatives, and community engagement strategies aimed at promoting gender-sensitive and rights-based approaches to MHM in disaster settings. By contextualizing the findings in the context of the 2022 monsoon floods in Pakistan, this research advances gender-responsive and rights-based approaches to disaster relief to promote greater inclusivity, resilience, and health equity in the context of humanitarian crises.