Blue Veins

25/08/2026

💧 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 | 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

As the world marks World Water Week 2026, we must recognize that water security is not only an environmental or infrastructure issue—it is fundamentally an issue of human dignity, equality and rights.

For millions of menstruators, particularly in schools and underserved communities, the absence of reliable water and adequate WASH facilities directly affects their ability to manage menstruation safely, privately and with dignity.

This is why conversations about water security must go beyond simply counting toilets or water points. We need Minimum WASH Standards that ensure:

💧 Reliable access to safe and sufficient water
🚻 Private, safe, accessible and functional toilets
🩸 Facilities that enable dignified menstrual management
🧼 Appropriate spaces for washing and changing
♻️ Safe and environmentally responsible disposal systems
♿ Inclusive facilities that respond to disability, age and diverse needs
🌍 Climate-resilient WASH systems that remain functional during droughts, floods and other emergencies

The connection is clear: without water, there can be no dignified menstruation. And without dignified menstruation, our WASH systems cannot truly be called inclusive.

Climate change and growing water insecurity make this connection even more urgent. Providing reusable menstrual products, for example, is not enough if menstruators do not have sufficient water and private spaces to wash, dry and reuse them safely.

At Blue Veins, we believe that Minimum WASH Standards must place dignity at their centre and that the voices and lived experiences of menstruators should inform policies, budgets, school standards and climate-resilient WASH investments.

This World Water Week, our message is simple:

Water is dignity.
WASH is a right.
Dignified Menstruation must be part of both.

17/08/2026

Gender parity in education is essential for ensuring every girl has an equal opportunity to learn, grow, and shape her future.
In government schools of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Gender Parity Index stands at 0.96 at the primary level, but drops to 0.72 at the secondary level, highlighting the gender gap that needs attention.
Ensuring girls can continue their education beyond primary school requires increased investment, supportive policies, and safe, inclusive learning environments.

Source: Schools Statistical Report 2024-25 KP E&SED



Malala Fund Pakistan Pakistan Coalition for Education - PCE Thar Education Alliance Tabadlab

16/08/2026

Childhood should be a time to play, learn, explore, and discover who you want to become not a time when your future is decided through marriage. Child marriage takes away choices before girls are ready to make them.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa must urgently pass the pending Child Marriage Restraint Bill and raise the minimum age of marriage for girls to 18. Stop forced futures. Let girls choose their own.

15/08/2026

Rights must come before marriage. Girls should be carrying books, building dreams, and discovering their potential not carrying adult responsibilities before they are ready. Child marriage denies girls education, protection, health, and the freedom to shape their own lives.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa must urgently pass the pending Child Marriage Restraint Bill and raise the minimum age of marriage for girls to 18. Let girls grow before asking them to carry the responsibilities of adulthood.

13/08/2026

📢 Join us at World Water Week 2026! 💧

Menstrual health and dignity is fundamental to health, human rights and full participation of girls, women and other menstruators. Yet menstrual discrimination and structural barriers, often worsened by water insecurity and inadequate sanitation, continue to be constraints. This is why the Sang pour Sang Uni·e·s pour la Dignité project is pleased to invite you to our upcoming online session at World Water Week:

🌍 Menstrual Health and Dignity in Climate-Vulnerable and Water-Insecure Contexts
🗓️ Wednesday, 26 August 2026
🕘 10:00 GMT / 12:00 CEST / 15:00 PKT
💻 Online (free access)

Baseline data from Sang pour Sang is stark: 98% of menstruators miss school or work due to menstruation, often because of a lack of toilets, privacy and/or clean water. Climate change only deepens these barriers by disrupting water supply and sanitation systems in already vulnerable communities. We'll hear directly from partner organisations in Pakistan on what climate-vulnerable, rights-based approaches to menstrual health and dignity look like in practice - and how community-led solutions can drive real change. 🩸

We’re delighted to be joined by a stellar panel of speakers:
➡️ Moderator: Dr Deborah Maufi, MBA, CiDir, Women’s Health Consultant, Stichting PSI Europe.
➡️ Jayaa Jaggi, Founder, She Matters
➡️ Jibran Bahadur Khan, Founder & CEO, Swift Hygiene Industry
➡️ Qamar Naseem, Programme Manager, Blue Veins

Register for free online access to World Water Week and learn more about our session ⬇️
https://lnkd.in/g7EHHknu

👥 Convened by Sang pour Sang: Stichting PSI Europe, Fòs Feminista, Global South Coalition for Dignified Menstruation and Equipop.

*This online session will be held in English, with interpretation available in French and Spanish.

13/08/2026

12/08/2026

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, only 8% of students enrolled in government schools reach the secondary level. This sharp decline during transition from primary to secondary education reflects the barriers to children’s continued access to education.
Secondary education is an important stage in educational journey helping students build foundational knowledge and skills for higher education, employment and meaningful participation in society.
Increased investment in secondary education, particularly for girls who face disproportionate risks of dropping out, and effective implementation of the allocated resources are essential to keep children in school, enable them to reach their full potential and build a more secure future for themselves.

Source: Schools Statistical Report 2024-25 KP E&SED



Malala Fund Pakistan Pakistan Coalition for Education - PCE Thar Education Alliance Tabadlab

07/08/2026

𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐕𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐬 organised an exposure visit for a delegation of 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐞 & 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐬 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 to the Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to familiarize the members with parliamentary system and business of the House.

During the visit, 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 of the 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐲 of 𝐊𝐡𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐤𝐡𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐤𝐡𝐰𝐚, 𝐒𝐲𝐞𝐝 𝐖𝐚𝐪𝐚𝐫 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐡, provided a comprehensive briefing on the constitutional status of the Assembly, legislative process, oversight mechanisms, role of standing committees, and system for public/citizen engagement with the Assembly.

Following the briefing, the students engaged in an interactive dialogue with the Secretary to discuss the challenges existing to girls education in KP, the broader challenges to youth meaningful participation in policymaking, democratic processes, and parliamentary activities at the provincial level, and identify pathways for addressing them.

The Secretary expressed strong interest in sustained engagement with the network, to ensure that young voices guide and inform policymaking and public service delivery. It was agreed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will be signed between the Provincial Assembly and Rise and Shine Girls Education Leadership Network, under which joint initiatives will be undertaken and concrete reform action points will be identified through active and regular engagement of the girl champions with the Assembly's Child Caucus and Women Parliamentary Caucus, to address barriers to girls education.

Later, the girls were taken on a guided tour of the Assembly hall, training section, historical gallery, and other important sections of the Assembly.

07/08/2026

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, only 1% of public schools use digital teaching resources, highlighting a significant gap in access to technology-enabled learning. Classrooms without technology remain disconnected from the rapidly evolving digital world.
Investing in equitable access to digital education can transform classrooms and improve learning outcomes for students. The future is digital, our education system must be too.

Source: Pakistan Education Statistics Report 2023-24

03/08/2026

𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐕𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐬 organized an interactive dialogue between the 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐬 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Commission on the Status of Women

Secretary KPCSW, Ms. Shazia Atta, provided an overview of the Commission's mandate, functions, and mechanisms to promote gender equality and safeguard the rights of women and girls.

During the dialogue, girl leaders shared the challenges affecting girls' access to education, including the absence of zebra crossings near schools, harassment, and limited access to dignified menstruation support among the others. The Secretary assured the girls that these issues would be taken up with the relevant government institutions through the KPCSW Provincial Oversight and Advisory Committee on Girls' Education. She also deliberated on the growing issue of technology-facilitated gender-based violence and emphasized to the girls the importance of safe, ethical, and responsible social media use to protect themselves against it.

Appreciating the girls' leadership, she encouraged them to continue raising their voices, championing girls' education, and advocating for inclusive and equitable learning opportunities for all.