BILAL FOUNDATION ACTIVITIES: In a typical South-Asian household, it is customary to evade an honest conversation about female reproductive health. As if it is a restricted area where no visitors, no queries are allowed! Even when our mothers, aunts, or even peers may choose to discuss, it is usually in hushed and muted tones to put it mildly. Such a culture of deafening silence and collective shame is perfect breeding spot for ignorance in the minds of young girls.

Given parents and teachers discomfort and hesitation to discuss these issues, many adolescent girls in Pakistan have limited understanding of sexual hygiene, and lack the knowledge to take care of their growing bodies. To promote awareness about female reproductive health and dispel notions of shame and ignorance associated with perfectly normal bodily functions, Bilal Foundation organized a free health awareness camp at Azm-e- Nau Girls High School on Wednesday 2^nd May, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Around 60 students from 6^th grade to 10^th grade along with their teachers attended the Free Health Camp. The event started at 9:00 a.m. with recitation of Quran, followed by brief information about Bilal Foundation and its various activities by Dr. Naila Butt (Director of Bilal Foundation). Highlight of the event was a detailed health awareness lecture on Vaginal Discharge (also known as leucorrhoea) and a free consultation session with the doctor. Health lecture was delivered by Dr Madiha Shaheen (Consultant Gynaecologist/Obstetrician at Bilal Hospital. Dr Madiha dispelled various myths and misconceptions associated with the term leucorrhoea and stressed that Vaginal Discharge is a normal, cleaning function of vagina. It is important to understand when this discharge is normal and when it is not.

There was a Q & A session after the lecture during which questions pertaining to vaginal discharge and menstruation cycle were answered by the gynaecologist. Lecture was concluded by distribution of free health literature on vaginal discharge. From 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Dr Madiha counseled and prescribed treatments to the students and teachers with various general health issues such as vaginal discharge, skin allergies, anemia among others. Many young female students from Tumair region received correct information about their Vaginal Discharge and how they can take good care of their sexual hygiene. School Staff and students appreciated the efforts and stressed the need to have other similar programs.