Astore, Sept. 5 -- Residents of the Astore district in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan staged a major protest this week, blocking traffic on all routes leading through the area to demand urgent action over contaminated water supplies that they say have caused a surge in menstrual health problems among women and girls.

In a video shared by Markhor Times on Facebook, locals claim the water being supplied to their homes is unfit for consumption, leading to serious health issues that have disproportionately affected women's reproductive health.

Villagers said repeated complaints to authorities over the unsafe water had gone unanswered, forcing them to take to the streets in frustration.

Eyewitnesses told Markhor Times that protesters se...