When the Waters Rise, so must We (For Menstruators, For our community, For Pakistan)

Pakistan has constantly been on the global radar for massive floods over the past few years. Every year monsoon season comes with catastrophic flooding, and 2025 is no exception. Over the last weekend, various parts of northern Pakistan have been hit by devastating flash floods. Rather, the floods so far have already been more fatal than those of 2022, which later left one-third of the country submerged in rain. NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority) has warned of at least two more heavy spells of rain, cloud bursts, and floods across the country this monsoon season.(The Express Tribune). Floods wash away not only homes, but also access to menstrual products, clean water and safe spaces, leaving girls, women and gender diverse persons, especially menstruators, vulnerable and at risk. Feminist response towards disaster relief must refuse this erasure and invisibility, it must center menstruators’ voices and needs, ensuring that resources flow where they are most urgently needed.

Overview of the situation: There have been unprecedented incidents of cloud bursts, land slides, and GLOFs (Glacial Lake Outburst Floods) that swept away houses, schools, livelihoods and people, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu Kashmir. Since June 2025, monsoon rains have caused 695 deaths in the country with KP reporting 425 of these fatalities. The district of Buner is the most adversely affected, reporting 222 deaths, 907 injured, 200 missing, and over 10,000 displaced people in urgent need of relief. Among those are thousands of displaced menstruators requiring critical support. (Al Jazeera,Islamic Relief ). While the North of Pakistan is suffering, there have been reports of heavy rainfall from the South as well, exacerbating risks of urban and rural flooding (NDMA ). We have to be ready to ensure that no one is left behind, every single menstruator has access to the essential products and care across Pakistan. We cannot do this without your support.

DASTAK Foundation’s work with Provincial Disaster Management Authority Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and District Disaster Management Authorities of 8 districts from KP (5 of which are completely submerged due to the 2025 floods) revealed that none of the existing disaster plans were gender inclusive or prioritised the needs of menstruators. Menstruating individuals are left to bleed without any supplies and resort to tree leaves, mud, and old rags. Furthermore, the loss of sanitary infrastructure strips them of the right to safe and dignified menstruation. This exposes them to harmful infections, long-term health issues and even violence in such unsafe conditions. Due to the stigma, women and young menstruators are unable to voice their grievances or seek support.

In 2022, our organization, Mahwari Justice, meaning menstrual justice was born out of this same need of relief for menstruators. 8 million flood displaced women and girls in their reproductive age in Pakistan had no access to necessary period supplies. Through digital campaigns, we were able to garner USD 50,000 worth of donations which helped us provide over 150,000 menstrual dignity kits in flood affected districts across the country. Our efforts were verified and amplified by TIME Magazine , Al Jazeera+ , BBC coverage and CBC . We also gained recognition through the Diana Award 2024 and PERIOD Youth Champion Award 2023.

More about our 2022 flood fundraiser can be found here .

Menstruation is a natural and inevitable process that does not stop during floods, disasters or emergencies. For some adolescents, their first period arrives during displacement. However, systemic neglect in catering to such a crucial daily need can mean that people experiencing menstruation are made even more vulnerable. They require essential

period supplies and hygiene materials to make sure they can manage their menstrual health properly and with dignity.

DASTAK Foundation worked towards supporting menstruators and pregnant persons through ‘Dignity Campaign’ and ‘MAA campaign’, reaching 500 pregnant persons and thousands of menstruators with the support of international partners, expat Pakistanis, local artists and communities at home. The experiences of menstruators and pregnant persons impacted by the floods and natural calamities since 2022 have been documented here: Gender and Climate Tracker .

Yet again, flood affected menstruators on the frontlines are reaching out, not as passive victims, but as survivors echoing what is urgently needed: pads, underwear, privacy and care. Their voices are clear and courageous, even as everything around them is washed away. We must respond with urgency, care and feminist commitment.

Menstrual health IS NOT a luxury, it is a lifeline.

In this regard, DASTAK Foundation and Mahwari Justice have collaborated on a Mahwari Solidarity Campaign to help provide relief to menstruators in flood-struck areas.Your donations will help us buy the necessary supplies which will then be arranged into kits by our volunteers through packaging drives in different cities, and finally delivered to disaster-stricken communities. Each Solidarity Kit for Menstruators costs around 2 Euros, containing; a pack of pads, a panty, detergent soap, and a leaflet of paracetamol pills. Join us in providing essential support to menstruators in a time of critical need.

Stand with Them, Stand with Us.

In case of any query, please reach out on our Instagram: dastak.pk | mahwarijusticeofficial or email ( [email redacted] |info@dastakfoundationpk.org | tuba@dastakfoundationpk.org | bushramahnoor1@gmail.com).

News coverage:

https://images.dawn.com/news/1194028/mahwari-justice-is-making-sure-people-with-periods-arent-forgotten-in-the-floods