UNICEF has always worked to make
future of our youth brighter and secure. Keeping their mission in mind this
year they launched a program, Generation Unlimited Youth Challenge, to assure every
young person aged 10 – 24 is in some form of school, learning, training or
employment by 2030.
In the first leg of the challenge 16
UNICEF countries participated for the challenge Menstrual Hygiene Management
(MHM). The reason behind this theme was that girls from underprivileged backgrounds
discontinue their studies or are absent from their classrooms due to their
periods which effects their overall learning. This in return effects their self
esteem and education. 
To conduct
the challenge in Pakistan UNICEF partnered with School of Leadership (SoL).
Multiple teams participated and presented their ideas to how make conditions
better for girls during their periods. Out 5 global winning teams, one of them
is a Pakistan team called ‘ The Red Code’. The team received grant worth $20,000
to bring their idea to life.
In order to celebrate the big win a
function was held in honor of the entire activity in Islamabad in which
multiple notable personalities were present including Minister of Climate change
& Environment Ms. Zartaj Gul Wazir.
The winning team 'The Red Code' Mahin, Sana and Sara are supporting better menstrual hygiene with information & sanitary pads for disadvantaged girls and women in Pakistan. The Red Code run awareness workshops and provide women with reusable, cloth pads which are stitched by home-based workers to support self-sustaining micro-entrepreneurship.
