In Baramulla, teacher Asima Jan visits remote tribal villages in northern Kashmir to talk to girls and their families about a topic many still avoid—menstruation. For many years, the 42-year-old state school teacher has conducted educational sessions on menstrual hygiene and health, while also persuading families to re-enroll children who have dropped out of school.
Her efforts earned her the 'Best Teacher' award for the Jammu and Kashmir state in 2023. Asima started working in 2003 and taught for seven years at a government school in Bandipora. In 2009, she noticed that many girls missed classes for up to a week during menstruation. Some claimed that their parents forbade them from attending school during menstruation.
A turning point came when she discovered a student crying out of shame related to menstruation. Asima said this 'broke her heart,' and she felt a deep sense of responsibility to change something. The next day, she began holding extra classes on menstruation and counseling parents. She explains to the girls that it is a natural process, not an illness, but a sign of growing up.
Thanks to her actions, attendance among girls improved. Then, Asima went beyond the classroom, conducting monthly information sessions in schools and visiting villages on Sundays and holidays. She continued these sessions even after being transferred to the neighboring district of Baramulla. Her work expanded to remote areas such as Gurez and Uri, as well as nomadic communities like Gujjar and Bakerwal.
Every Sunday, she chooses a village, contacts local Panchs and Sarpanches, and conducts sessions focused on 'awareness, acceptance, and action.' In remote places, she often finds that girls use cloth during menstruation, while families, including mothers, are reluctant to discuss menstruation. Asima uses her personal funds to purchase and distribute sanitary pads during her visits, explaining their use and disposal.
Her social media page, which has about 40,000 followers, also promotes topics of menstrual health and other social issues. For Asima, the greatest reward is watching students continue this work, spreading awareness and positivity about menstrual health.