The petition started by Ahangar Zahida, co-founder of the non-profit organisation Stand For Kashmiri Youth (SKY), has been deemed successful.
Zahida, who is from the Jammu and Kashmir area of Baramulla, adds, “I dread the day when I get my periods in school.” She asked a friend for assistance and gave her an outdated, filthy piece of fabric to use as an absorbent. Her mother described it as a “bimaari” (ailment). For years, Zahida continued to use used fabric pieces as absorbent. This is the tale of thousands of other Kashmiri menstruators. via Zahida Ahanger’s petition.I wish to see that Baramulla schools observe World Menstrual Hygiene Day every year in order to normalise periods. She also spoke with Baramulla’s DC and Chief Education Officer.
In 2016, Zahida co-founded the Stand For Kashmiri Youth (SKY) Trust, a non-governmental organisation with a social impact. It is a youth-focused group with an emphasis on women in particular.
Both the Chief Education Officer of Baramulla, Mr. Balbir Singh Raina, and the Deputy Commissioner of Baramulla, Dr. Syed Sehrish Asgar (IAS), to whom I presented a petition, formally distributed circulars to upper secondary schools in Baramulla in honour of World Menstrual Hygiene Day.
To demonstrate how swiftly this transformation came to pass, the following chronology is provided:
When I started my petition on April 29, 2023, I was afraid and had no idea that my experience as a menstruating Kashmiri woman would spur others to action.
In our culture, when talking openly about periods is still frowned upon, the administration’s directive is a significant step. Can you picture the shift when female students in Baramulla’s upper secondary schools learn that menstruation is not only freely acknowledged but also celebrated in their institutions? Ahangar Zahida said.
On May 18, 2023, I visited and presented my petition to the District Commissioner of Baramulla, who agreed with the cause and stated she would forward it to the Chief Education Officer. Later, on May 24, I visited and spoke with the Chief Education Officer about the matter. She stressed the importance of the problem and said that 50 schools in Baramulla have already received pad vending machines, and more are on the way.
The CEO’s office received an official letter from the District Development Commissioner’s office on May 25 addressing World Menstrual Hygiene Day celebrations and awareness campaigns, along with my letter of petition to them.
As I write this triumph report, I am in tears. This is beyond my wildest dreams, and because of all the supports, the petition has now been successful. Once again, I want to thank you for your generosity in supporting our cause. I’m overcome and crying with happiness. According to Ahangar Zahida, this is a win for the power of regular people like us.
