Help to end menstrual exile in Nepal

Salita Gurung is our project manager from Green Tara Trust in Nepal, our local project partner.

She expresses her gratitude for helping the local communities to overcome menstruation exile.The community is changing its attitude towards menstruating girls and women. They are gaining self-confidence and can go to school and work.

The project has made significant progress in breaking taboos surrounding menstruation and improving menstrual hygiene among girls and women in Mellekh. Through community collaboration and strong support from the local government, the activities have successfully led to behavioral change and increased awareness of menstrual health and dignity.

The project has received strong support from the community. The district chairman expressed his appreciation for the project, noting that while Chhaupadi is a priority issue, local resources have not been sufficient to address it effectively. "We have been trying to do something about Chhaupadi for a long time. It was a priority in our annual plan, but we never had the funds or resources to implement it. I am very happy that through this project we are finally doing something that really works."

Similarly, Savitri Khadka, head of the Women and Children's Department, emphasized the importance of involving men in the project, as she recognized that addressing gender roles is essential for sustainable change. “I really like this project because it also involves men. Often, men don't help their wives at home. They drink, gamble, and dominate their wives. When they participate in the discussions, things start to change.”

The girls show great interest in learning more about menstrual hygiene and receiving sanitary pads, which indicates a growing openness and self-determination among young people.

Links:

• Salita says thank you!