Syeda Aaleen Hussain
Pakistan is home to one of the largest youth populations in the world. Nearly 64% of the population is under the age of 30, and around 23% are adolescents between 10 and 19 years (UNFPA Pakistan, 2023). Within this vibrant and energetic generation are millions of young girls stepping into adolescence, a stage filled with physical, emotional and social transitions.
Yet for many girls, this period unfolds in silence. Questions about growing up, bodily changes, health and well-being often remain unanswered. Cultural taboos and social hesitation mean that many young girls grow up without reliable guidance or access to supportive health services. As a result, a significant number face health concerns that could easily be prevented or treated with timely information and care. During community work in Punjab, one story stood out. A 14-year-old girl had been suffering from severe abdominal pain and irregular cycles, but her family relied only on painkillers at home. Her mother hesitated to seek medical help due to fear of social judgment. After counselling by project staff, the family consulted a trained provider, where she was diagnosed with a growing ovarian cyst that could have become life-threatening if left untreated.
Her story is not unique. It reflects a wider reality faced by many young girls across Pakistan. One of the most pressing challenges for young girls in Pakistan is limited access to accurate health information during adolescence. Many girls enter puberty with little understanding of natural biological changes such as menstruation, hormonal shifts and reproductive health. According to UNICEF Pakistan (2022), a large number of adolescents receive fragmented or incorrect information from peers or informal sources rather than trained professionals. This lack of reliable knowledge can lead to poor menstrual hygiene practices, untreated infections and health complications, anxiety and confusion around natural bodily changes, school absenteeism, school dropouts and reduced confidence and limited opportunities later in life.
Beyond information gaps, the health system itself often struggles to meet the needs of young girls. Many public health facilities are designed primarily around maternal health services, leaving adolescent health needs insufficiently addressed. Young girls frequently face barriers such as lack of privacy and confidentiality in clinics, limited availability of female health providers, few counselling services tailored for adolescents and social discomfort in approaching health facilities for guidance. These barriers discourage many girls from seeking care, even when services exist.
Encouragingly, some initiatives are beginning to change this landscape. Youth-focused programs in different parts of the country have shown that when services are designed with adolescents in mind, girls are far more likely to seek timely care. Similarly, life-skills-based education in schools and digital awareness initiatives are gradually helping normalize conversations around adolescent health and well-being.
Strengthening these efforts is essential. When young girls are equipped with knowledge, supported by families and communities, and able to access respectful health services, they are empowered to grow into confident and healthy members of society.
