International Menstruation Day

Menstrual health is an important part of women’s overall well-being. While it has improved over time, it is still often ignored in many parts of the world, including Nepal. Despite some progress, traditional beliefs and a lack of knowledge continue to create challenges for women and girls.In Nepal, menstruation is surrounded by cultural taboos, especially in rural areas, but even in cities too. Practices like Chhaupadi—where women and girls on their periods are treated as impure and forced to stay in small, isolated huts—still happen, even though they are illegal. This practice puts women at risk of serious health problems and even physical harm.

Beyond Chhaupadi, many women are restricted from daily activities during their periods. They are often not allowed to enter kitchens, visit temples, or participate in social events. These traditions make menstruation a shameful and isolating experience.In Nepal, there is very little education about menstruation. Many girls don’t know what menstruation is before their first period, leaving them scared and confused. Schools often don’t have proper toilets or ways to dispose of menstrual products safely. Because of this, many girls miss school during their periods.On International Menstruation Day, we tried to make a small difference by sharing information about menstrual health and teaching girls how to use menstrual cups and reusable pads. We distributed 30 menstrual cups and 60 reusable pads from Freedom Kit Bags as part of the event.

Through these efforts, we aim to raise community awareness about menstrual hygiene. By involving both men and women in these discussions, we hope to break the stigma around menstruation and create supportive environments for everyone.We would like to thank Freedom Kit Bags and Women Cycling Nepal for helping us achieve the goals of this special day. They worked tirelessly to organize the Menstrual Talk at Vinayak Shiksha Niketan English Secondary School and, Unified Scout Crew.Special thanks to two incredible women who made the event a success: Nirmala Shrestha – Nirmala has been working with Freedom Kit Bags for over five years, traveling across Nepal from east to west to educate women about hygiene.
Asmita Rajbanshi – Asmita, a cyclist, has been supporting women for many years by organizing training programs, events, and cycling trips. She encourages women to join weekly rides, which all females are welcome to participate in.
Together, these efforts bring us closer to ensuring that no woman or girl is held back by her period.