Menstrual hygiene management

By WaterAid : WaterAid is a UK based charity dedicated exclusively to the provision of safe domestic water, sanitation and hygiene education to the world’s poorest and marginalized people. WaterAid UK is a Charity registered with the Charity Commission in the UK. WaterAid has maintained a Country Programme in Nepal since 1987, which operates out of a national office in the capital, Kathmandu. WaterAid Nepal works with local partners to deliver a programme of work aimed at some of the most marginalized and poorest communities, to transform their lives by improving access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation.

Access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) during menstruation is crucial to the health and wellbeing of women and girls everywhere. With 8 million female population (Census, 2011) in Nepal ranging between the age group of 12-50 years, women and girls lack access to basic WASH services during menstruation affecting health, education, livelihoods and dignity. The situation is further complicated by deep-rooted cultural taboos and religious beliefs that consider women and girls to be ‘impure’ at the time of menstruation.

Many families place restrictions on daily activities such as not entering the kitchen or temple, not touching certain types of food, male members of the family or water sources. Girls are even refrained from using the same toilet used by men making it even more complex dynamics for girls to manage their menstrual hygiene. Many people, especially men and including male teachers, find it difficult to talk about menstrual hygiene, making it tough for women and girls to speak out about their experiences or to ask for support. A lack of understanding around menstrual hygiene can lead to increased mental stress, repression of feelings and low self-confidence among women and girls.

WaterAid believes that every woman and girl has the right to manage her menstruation in a safe and dignified way. Over the years we have collaboratively worked with our partner organizations and assessed local and national level policies and frameworks to promote and support good menstrual hygiene helping to improve education, health, livelihood and dignity. Through our local partners, we work to deliver menstrual hygiene management services such as; promotion of safe menstrual hygiene management, public awareness campaigns in communities and schools, design and develop inclusive and girl-friendly WASH facilities and champion women and girls’ right to safe WASH and good menstrual hygiene.

The objective of this assignment is to continue the momentum of advocating on Menstrual Hygiene Management “Period Power” Campaign through Cricket League Tournament. During this campaign, Lalipur Patriots will be promoting and sensitizing Menstrual Hygiene thus making some noise on the issue. Majority of the people in Nepal, especially men, find it difficult to talk about menstrual hygiene, making it tough for women and girls to speak about their experiences or to ask for support. A lack of understanding around menstrual hygiene can lead to increased mental stress, repression of feelings and low self-confidence among women and girls.