Partners involved:
Nepal Fertility Care Center in cooperation with Family Health Division, Department of Education, Department of Non- Formal Education, National Health Education, Information and Communication Center (NHEICC) and Department of Women, Children and Social Welfare supported by Water AID, USAIDS and UNFPA
Number of participants: 2468 girls, 953 boys
Activities:
The following activities were conducted targeting different populations in Nepal:
1. Adolescents:
In coordination with Family Health Division and Department of Education a one hour (10am-
11am) discussion was held at a public school in each VDC of 75 districts of Nepal. The discussion
was facilitated by one local health worker provided by District (Public) Health Office on
menstruation and was involved in answering question adolescents had regarding menstruation.
‘28 conversations on Menstruation’ provided by Wash United was translated in Nepali and
provided to health workers in each VDC to facilitate the discussion. Out of school adolescent girls
were accompanied to the identified school by the Community Learning Center Supervisors.
The activities were monitored by 19 different partner organizations in 52 districts. Apart from this,
the information about the campaign was obtained through a phone call to Public Health Nurse, a
focal person at each district for Menstrual Hygiene Day Campaign. As per the discussion, the
campaign was conducted in 67 out of 75 districts. In few districts, the discussion session ran for 2-3
hours while in others additional activities such as rally and quiz contests were held. Though
included in the curriculum but quite neglected, Menstrual Hygiene Day Campaign was indeed a
good approach to start the conversation on menstruation among the adolescents in schools.
2. General Public:
In coordination with ACORAB and financial support from UNFPA, a one hour (10 am- 11am) phone
in program on menstruation was aired in 75 districts through local ACORAB radio partners. A
locally identified health worker was invited to answer questions pertaining to menstruation. There
was the involvement of both male and female of different age group in the phone in program. The
participants were also asked to share their attitude towards menstruation and social and cultural
practices on menstruation prevailed in their community. Hence, the show provided all the listeners
with an opportunity to call in with their questions and to start the conversation on menstruation.
3. Policy Makers:
Monthlies- a short movie on menstruation was screened at City Museum Kathmandu on 27th and
28th of May, 2014. The movie screening was then followed by panel discussion with the policy
level decision makers to work towards mainstreaming Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM).
On 27th of May, local organizations working in the field of reproductive health were called to
brainstorm ways to effectively mainstream MHM. On 28th of May governments and donor
agencies were called to identify potential ways to integrate MHM through their relevant programs.
A report on “Wash Financing in Community Schools of Nepal” was launched by Water AID which
showed a reduction in girls’ absenteeism in schools during their menstrual periods after the
installation of separate toilets for girls with incineration facilities in schools. At the end of the day
all the participants were asked to sign on the blank canvas to commit stop practicing traditional
norms of discrimination against women during menstruation, starting from their homes.
Quotes:
Mr. Ashutosh Tiwari, WaterAid’s Country Representative for Nepal, said “You might wonder why a water and sanitation INGO is talking about menstrual hygiene. It’s because we are trying to make the important point that for women’s empowerment we should start with something like menstrual hygiene. Reliable access to adequate safe water and sanitation is one critical element which gives women a sense of freedom, and keeps her healthy during menstruation”. He added “By talking about periods, we can help normalize this natural process and help girls and women live healthier and more dignified lives.”
