Abu Taleb Khan has dedicated 30 years of his career to teaching at Moheskhali Model High School in Cox's Bazar district, Bangladesh. When the project initially proposed sessions on menstrual hygiene management in 2022, there was uncertainty among the teachers. Given the societal taboo surrounding menstruation, they were hesitant about discussing it openly. Their primary concern revolved around how the guardians would react to such discussions.
However, to their surprise, after providing training and conducting sessions for girls and their caregivers, Taleb hasn't encountered any negative feedback or complaints from the students or their parents. Quite the contrary, the girls eagerly share what they've learned about managing menstruation, understanding bodily changes, and maintaining overall health.
Moreover, Taleb observes a positive shift in how comfortable the girls feel seeking support from their parents and teachers when faced with physical and emotional challenges related to menstruation. This indicates a significant step forward in breaking the silence and promoting open dialogue about menstrual health.
Learning about menstruation prompted personal reflection for Taleb. He recalled a distressing incident involving his daughter when she was 15 years old. He found her crying and refusing to go to school, complaining of unbearable cramps. At that time, due to his lack of understanding about menstruation, Taleb mistakenly believed she was simply making excuses to skip class and reacted by slapping her.
Later, his wife blamed him for sending their daughter to school while she was in pain. “I felt ashamed of myself that I had no idea about menstruation and failed to provide support to my daughter at that time.”
Taleb believes that sessions for caregivers, where they learn to support their daughters and guide them through bodily changes, can prevent mistakes like his own. He wishes these sessions could be implemented across Bangladesh, ensuring that all caregivers have the knowledge and skills to support adolescent girls effectively.
