It's time to shine a light on a topic that deserves our attention and action: menstruation and the dignity it deserves.
While the world recently observed International Dignified Menstruation Day, it's a stark reminder that menstruation is not just a biological process but a matter of human rights, gender equality, and, most importantly, dignity. Despite progress in gender equality discussions and opportunities, menstrual discrimination persists in Nepal and beyond.
UNICEF Nepal reports that an astonishing 1.8 billion people worldwide menstruate monthly, yet they face challenges due to pervasive gender-based discrimination. Many cultures, particularly in South Asia and Africa, view menstruation as a source of shame, impurity, and restriction. This stigma leads to girls missing school, unable to live their lives freely, and facing various restrictions and myths.
For instance, the chhaupadi custom in Sudurpashchim, Nepal, confines girls to small huts away from home during their periods. Similar myths and restrictions exist in India, Afghanistan, and African communities, where menstruating girls are forbidden from touching livestock or performing daily tasks. These harmful practices violate the dignity, equality, health, education, and freedom of women and girls, as stated by the UN Human Rights Council.
A UNICEF report highlights how menstrual taboos and inadequate facilities disrupt the education of adolescent girls in low-income countries like Nepal. This inadequacy affects their school experiences and overall well-being.
While there have been positive changes, such as more girls attending school and families valuing daughters, traditional norms surrounding menstruation persist. The 2022 National Demographic Health Survey reveals high rates of menstrual discrimination across various regions in Nepal, with figures ranging from 64.7% to 80.6%. These statistics prove that harmful practices are not isolated incidents.
Radha Poudel, a campaigner for dignified menstruation, emphasizes that menstrual discrimination is widespread, affecting various geographical, caste, class, and socioeconomic groups. The forms of discrimination may vary, but the impact is universal.
Despite progress, Poudel notes that the practice of dignified menstruation is still a distant goal. Sleeping in chhaughot during menstruation is still prevalent in Sudurpashchim, and in other parts of the country, girls face restrictions and uncomfortable conditions. They are denied access to their bedrooms, touch their siblings, and engage in early morning baths, even in winter, due to the belief in ritual cleansing. Food restrictions are common, depriving girls of essential nutrition.
Nepal's constitution embraces the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), guaranteeing citizens' fundamental rights, including freedom, equality, justice, education, health, food, shelter, employment, and social security. However, menstrual discrimination violates these rights, restricting women's access to these fundamental freedoms.
Nabin Kumar Shrestha from the Forum of Women, Law and Development (FWLD) emphasizes that various laws, including the Penal Code, criminalize menstrual discrimination. For dignified menstruation, girls and women must have access to safe and affordable sanitary materials to reduce infection risks. Promoting menstrual health and hygiene is crucial for safeguarding women's dignity, privacy, bodily integrity, and self-efficacy.
Community-based discussions involving mothers, teachers, local leaders, and adolescent boys have shown positive impacts. Creating champions who can influence societal change is essential, as suggested by Shrestha. Engaging men and boys is crucial, as menstruation is often seen as solely a women's issue. When boys understand menstruation as a natural process, teasing decreases, and empathy grows.
Our school curricula should go beyond discussing menstrual hygiene and embrace the concept of menstrual dignity. The government should ensure access to free sanitary products in schools and provide gender-friendly toilets. Despite challenges, Nepal is at a hopeful juncture, with increasing public discourse, the courage of young girls, and communities' willingness to change.
Dignified menstruation is a social transformation, not just a health intervention. It's about respecting bodily autonomy, ensuring equal opportunities, and recognizing menstruation as a normal aspect of human life.
How do you feel about this issue, and what steps do you think we can take to promote dignified menstruation and challenge harmful practices?
