The purpose of this
report is shown an evidence that the restrictions during menstruation is
practicing in Pokhara as well where many people thought that it is practicing
in only among rural, poor, uneducated and underprivileged areas.
Radha Paudel Foundation (RPF)
has organized dozens of programs on `Dialogue on Dignified Menstruation' at
Pokhara with schools, media and CSO leaders from May 2-7, 2019 during the auspicious
occasion of #MHDay2019. There were varieties of methods were used to explore
the reality around menstrual practice due to deep silence. During course of
dialogue, Radha Paudel who was the lead facilitator, asked to write of answer
at their notebook by telling two questions at Girls School, Pokhara for brain
storming. Two questions were:
1.
When did you
know or see the menstruation at your life at your family or community?
2.
How did you know that they were in menstruation? What were the features to
know as menstruating girls/women?
The total students were
around 150 from grade 8,9 and 10. Out of them, only 54 girls submitted their
papers voluntarily. They did not know about submission while writing answers.
The purpose of asking questions was only assessing the situation quickly and
bring the issue of up for discussion. Few were written in narratives, few were
written in points, few answered both questions and few not. They were
represented all caste, class and religion from the community. It was very voluntary
exercise. Their answered were as follows. No matter whether they were submitted
or not, it gave the idea of Pokhara has been following the restrictions during
menstruation as like other parts of Nepal but mostly invisible. Participants
from other programs in Pokhara also expressed their deep silence, huge fear and
wide ranges of restrictions during menstruation.
Mode of knowing menstruation: They learned the
menstruation and restrictions during menstruation mostly from mother, sister,
friends Aunts, school and NGOs. Therefore, the engagement with parent is also
very important.
Age of knowing of menstruation: As like other studies
done by Radha Paudel Foundation (2018), the girls learned menstruation between
the age of 7-13 years where the most common age is 10 years. They learned the
menstruation and its practices before having their menstruation. Menstruation
is means of power construction for boys and girls where girls socialize as
powerless, inferior and no right to question or cope whatever the situation she
would face. Therefore, the dialogue on dignified menstruation should
start before having menstruation.
Practices during menstruation: From their mothers,
sisters and others, they learned practices for first menstruation and regular
one. All together 24 types of practices they were following and believing to
follow related with touch, eat, mobility. It has huge implication for learning,
self -esteem and self confidence among girls. The details of impact was
discussed several times and shared in website and blog of Radha Paudel
Foundation, therefore do not like to repeat here.
Mode of knowing menstruation
|
· Sister at home
|
17
|
· Mother
|
24
|
|
· self-experience
|
2
|
|
· Friends
|
7
|
|
· Aunt
|
4
|
|
· School
|
3
|
|
· NGO
|
1
|
|
Age of knowing of menstruation
|
· 7 years
|
2
|
· 9 years
|
1
|
|
· 10 years
|
13
|
|
· 11 years
|
5
|
|
· 12 years
|
5
|
|
· 13 years
|
4
|
|
Practices during menstruation
|
· Hiding of my sister, and myself 3 for three days
during first menstruation
|
|
· Not allowing to go to kitchen
|
20
|
|
· Not allow to enter the main entrance of the house
|
4
|
|
· Not allow to go home
|
6
|
|
· Not allow to touch water at home
|
2
|
|
· Not allow to touch copy, pen
|
2
|
|
· Not allowing to do Puja
|
25
|
|
· Not allowing to touch its materials
|
25
|
|
· Not allow to touch father and brothers
|
17
|
|
· Not allow to see father/ brother at first
menstruation
|
17
|
|
· Not allow to see roof of house
|
1
|
|
· Not allow to touch flowers
|
12
|
|
· Not allow to touch mother
|
||
· Not allow to go to school
|
8
|
|
· Dry the clothes in separate places
|
10
|
|
· Stay far from the home
|
1
|
|
· Not allow to eat fruits that offer to god
|
1
|
|
· Not allow to see sun and moon
|
1
|
|
· Sleep in floor of separate room
|
14
|
|
· Sleep in floor of without touch anything
|
8
|
|
· Sleep in shed and separate house
|
2
|
|
· Do not tell anyone about menstruation
|
1
|
|
· Eat separate in plates
|
2
|
|
· Bath in 3 days
|
17
|
|
Pad User
|
· Cloth
|
9
|
· Market pad
|
14
|
 |
| Sample Response of Girls |
 |
| Sample Response of Girls |
 |
| Sample Response of Girls |
 |
| Girls during program |
Conclusion and Recommendation: As Nepali Namaste has
different name as per different ethnic groups or places like good morning/afternoon
in English, Salam Alekhum in Muslim, Dhorle in Magar, Fyafulla in Tamang,
Jwajalapa in Newari, restrictions during menstruation are practicing everywhere
but people, state and all do not realize its nature, gravity and manifestations
indeed.
There are many forms of recommendations as per actors but
more foremost recommendation or call for action are:
1.
Break the silence around menstruation.
2.
Burst the myths and misperceptions around
menstrual practice.
3.
Let girls and women to live with dignity during
menstruation by holding accountability by all actors because the menstruation
is everyone's business because it is human right issue.
Acknowledgements: Thank you Rajani Koirala, leader of
single women Pokhara and women entrepreneur, Pokhara and Sudha Gurung, UK,
Activist and media worker.
NOTE: This report prepared for the purpose of evidence
only. So not prepared as journal article or anything. This is volunteer work at
all.
