As the World Marks Menstrual Health Day, Afghan Girls Are Left in the Dark

KABUL, Afghanistan — As much of the world marks Menstrual Health Day, with calls for greater awareness and access to sanitary products, in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, the day marks a far grimmer reality.

Since the regime’s return to power in 2021, millions of girls have been barred from school — a policy that has not only dismantled formal education for Afghan girls but also cut off access to basic health knowledge, including information about menstruation.

An investigation by Rukhshana Media and More to Her Story, based on interviews with more than 30 adolescent girls and their mothers, explores the scope of the crisis, its effects on the physical and mental health of girls, and warnings from experts.

Mahsa, 15, from District 13 of Kabul, developed a uterine infection due to a lack of hygienic knowledge. After visiting a doctor, she was placed on medication for a month.

“The only thing I ever heard about menstruation was a sentence from my religious studies teacher in sixth grade, who said girls start bleeding monthly after age 10 or 15,” Mahsa said.

She continued, “No one ever told me what to do during this time. At first, I used a piece of cloth instead of a sanitary pad, and I didn’t change it for four hours.”

This experience, coupled with depression and shame, deeply affected her life. For months, she avoided talking about it with her mother and only sought medical help with her older sister’s support when her abdominal pain worsened.

Zakia, 16, from District 18 of Kabul, had a similar experience. She had her first period at age 12 without any prior knowledge or understanding. “I didn’t know what a period was or why it was happening to me. I had never even heard the word ‘period,’” Zakia said.

Her mother, 54-year-old Golnesa, expressed regret for not addressing the issue sooner. She shared that due to ignorance, her eldest daughter developed severe uterine complications and may never be able to conceive.

“Had I known earlier, maybe I could have prevented this,” Golnesa said. “I never realized how important menstruation is for a girl.”

Noria, a 14-year-old from District 13, recounted that during her first period, fear and lack of knowledge led her to stay outside in the yard for hours, refusing to enter the house.

“I didn’t know why I was bleeding. I was so scared, and I changed my pants several times so no one would notice,” she said. Her experience, compounded by being denied education, drove her into isolation and depression.

Fawzia, 17, developed a uterine infection after using cloth improperly instead of sanitary pads.

“I was afraid someone would see the cloth, so I couldn’t even dry it in the sun. Sometimes, I used it while it was still damp,” she said.

Fatema, 16, used a single sanitary pad for over 12 hours, which led to a vaginal yeast infection.

“My mother never told me I needed to change it regularly. When I finally saw a doctor, they told me hygiene is very important,” she said.

Health and psychology experts have warned about the consequences of this situation. Mursal Ebrahimi-Khail, a gynecologist in Kabul, told Rukhshana Media and More to Her Story that the lack of menstrual awareness is a major factor behind the rise in women’s health issues in Afghanistan.

“Every day, dozens of women and young girls come to us with problems like yeast infections, ovarian cysts, and pelvic inflammatory disease. Lack of knowledge and poor personal hygiene during menstruation are the main causes,” she said.

She emphasized that without proper education, these issues can lead to long-term complications, including infertility.

Batool Haidari, a university professor and psychologist, described the situation as “a major tragedy.” She believes that a lack of awareness about menstruation, especially during puberty, can lead to serious psychological harm — including fear of one’s own body, rejection of femininity, and decreased self-esteem.

“When a girl experiences her first period without any knowledge, she feels terrified and ashamed. This can lead to isolation, depression, and even self-loathing. In the absence of educational and familial support, these girls are left completely alone at a critical stage of development,” Haidari said.

She also noted that cultural taboos and the absence of open conversations about menstruation further exacerbate the problem. In many Afghan households, especially in rural areas, discussing menstruation remains taboo.

Psychologically, this silence prevents even mothers — many of whom were themselves denied education — from passing on essential information to their daughters. This cycle of ignorance continues from generation to generation, compounding both physical and mental health problems.

Experts and women’s rights activists interviewed in this report are calling for immediate action to address the crisis. Suggested solutions include establishing local awareness centers, distributing free sanitary products, and educating mothers and daughters through media and social programs.

Additionally, they stress that reopening schools and incorporating menstrual hygiene education into the curriculum could play a vital role in alleviating these issues.

However, the Taliban’s anti-women policies make such prospects increasingly unlikely.