Monika Sah
Do not talk about periods in public.”
We have all heard it. But have you ever wondered why something so natural and normal is still treated as a taboo?
Before diving into the facts, let me share a short story that left a lasting impact on me. It is about a girl I met during one of my menstrual health outreach visits in Nepal.
It was a warm day in Janakpurdham. Our team was conducting a menstrual health session at a local school. The students seemed shy but curious. After the session ended, a young girl named Mina came up to me. She looked uneasy, glancing around as if scared someone might overhear her. I smiled, trying to ease her nerves.
She said, “Didi, I missed school for three days last week.”
I asked why?
She lowered her eyes and whispered, “Because I had my period… and I did not have a pad.”
I stood there silently for a moment. Not because I was surprised, but because her words mirrored the lived reality of thousands of girls across Nepal.
Mina told me she uses old cloth pieces during her period, hides them behind her house after washing, and dries them only at night so no one sees them. She cannnot even enter the kitchen or touch drinking water during those days. She stays isolated — physically and emotionally.
She is not alone. In many parts of Nepal, menstruation is still considered impure. Girls and women are banned from entering temples, kitchens, and even their own homes during their menstrual cycle. In some extreme cases, especially in rural western Nepal, Chhaupadi — a practice where menstruating girls are forced to stay in sheds continues, despite being criminalized.
This is not just about cultural taboos. It’s a public health and human right issue.
Here are some important facts about Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) in Nepal:
- Lack of Access: Many girls and women, especially in rural and marginalized communities, lack access to affordable and safe menstrual products like sanitary pads or menstrual cups.
- Poor WASH Facilities: Most schools and public spaces often lack private toilets, clean water, and disposal systems, making it difficult for girls to manage menstruation hygienically and with dignity.
- Absenteeism: Research shows that a significant number of girls miss school during their periods. Repeated absences lead to lower academic performance and, in some cases, early dropouts.
- Limited Awareness: Due to limited reproductive health education, many girls enter menarche unprepared, believing harmful myths that negatively effect their mental health and self-esteem.
After hearing Mina’s story, we handed her a reusable pad kit and explained how to use and clean it properly. Her eyes lit up — not just because of the pad, but because someone listened without judging her.
That moment reminded me of the power of education and empathy.
So, what can we do?
Here’s how Nepal can improve MHM:
- Menstrual Education: Integrate menstrual health education into school curriculums from an early age — for both boys and girls. Understanding menstruation reduces stigma and promotes respect.
- Accessible Products: Provide free or subsidized sanitary products in schools, health posts, and community centers.
- Break the Silence: Conduct awareness campaigns involving parents, teachers, and community leaders to challenge taboos and normalize menstruation.
- Improve WASH Facilities: Ensure schools and public spaces have safe, private, and clean toilets with water, soap and disposal options which is essential for hygeince period management
- Policy Enforcement: Strengthen and enforce existing policies related to menstrual health, with proper monitoring and accountability mechanisms at all levels of government.
Menstruation is not a choice — it is a biological process. It should never be a barrier to education, dignity, or opportunity .
Every girl deserves to feel safe, supported, and respected during her period. And every step we take towards better menstrual hygiene management is a step toward a more equal and just Nepal.
Let’s break the taboo. Let’s talk about periods.