We improve the health of girls and women in Western Nepal and reduce discriminatory practices in connection with menstruation. No more menstrual exile in cowsheds! The project helps to ensure that girls and women can live safely and hygienically during their menstruation. Village communities and their religious leaders, traditional healers and mothers-in-law are encouraged to rethink and change attitudes. In this way we are strengthening the right for safe menstruation and human dignity.
In western Nepal, the degrading practice of Chhaupadi is widespread: Girls and women are considered impure during their menstruation and are regularly excluded from participating in social, economic and school life. They are locked out of the house and sleep in stables, have no access to public areas, are not allowed to eat certain foods and have no contact with men or animals. Staying overnight in stables often leads to hypothermia, respiratory illnesses, exposure to wild animals and rape.
Girls are trained at school and in girls' clubs on methods for hygienic and safe menstruation and provided with menstrual hygiene kits. A curriculum for integrating menstrual health in schools is being developed and teachers are being trained. Separate toilets for girls are being installed or renovated in the schools (WASH). Community meetings incl. the Gatekeepers of discrimnatory practices discuss health problems and work out how they can improve the situation for women and girls.
The project enables women to abandon the practice and supports social norms to evolve. It aims to change the attitudes of key influencers (gatekeepers), who advocate Chhaupadi practices, and of the women, who practice them. As well it aims to improve the health conditions of women and adolescent girls. This is done by working with the community to help them recognize how harmful Chhaupadi is and how the tradition can be accommodated in a way that meets the health needs and dignity of women.
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