Abstract: The menstruation is biological phenomena and each woman experience
in their lifetime. It is heavily ignored by international human rights
declarations and also found same in the national level. MHM (Menstrual Health
Management)/MR (Menstrual Rights) is confined under Chhaupadi that doesn't
represent all forms of restrictions and locations where and what girls and
women practicing. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), Nepalese Constitution
2015 and Chhaupadi guidelines are critical documents in current discussion for
MHM/MR to understand the position as well as explore the role of each actors
around it.
Background:
Half of the
women in this world menstruate when they enter in to puberty and it ended with
menopause about the age of 45-49 years. A woman has menstruated about 3000 days
in her life time and the global population represents by a quarter of
menstruating women (Yesmin, 2008) . Many development
organizations are globally used the term of MHM (Menstrual Health Management)
for most efforts to address menstruation in low-resource setting. It refers the absorption of menstrual blood
on to clean material which can be changed in privacy and also incorporate the
availability of soap and clean water, to wash re -usable sanitary materials and
the body, as well as suitable place of disposal for used materials (WHO-UNICEF, 2012)
It is
recently emerged in development. However, it is not enough to address the
comprehensive needs, priorities and rights of menstrual girls and women
globally (Inga T. Winkler, 2015) . Because the global
construction of menstruation is vary though associated with stigma,
restrictions, polluted, impure, dirty, contagious, secrecy, shame, silence,
inferior, humiliation, powerless etc. since civilization to date (Patkar A.,
2013; Lee J. 2003; Paudel R., 2015). More importantly, the menstruation is
beyond the infrastructure (Yesmin, 2008) . Thus, her Menstrual
Rights (MR) also discussed along with MHM. Here, the concept of MHM and MR used
together to make clearer as well as bringing together as priority concern of
human right.
In Nepalese
history, the 2016 is the most favourable year for equality due to securing a
very high, political and historical positions by prominent women leaders; Mrs
Bidhya Devi Bhandari, head of the state, Mrs Onsari Gharti, Speaker of the
House, Mrs. Sushila Karki, Chief Justice of Supreme court and Mrs Bandana Rana,
Committee member in CEDAW where everyone are there for just, equal and peaceful
society through implementation of constitution 2015 as well as transferring the
international human rights instruments in to actions. In other side of the coin,
the Chhaupadi, a form of menstrual restriction is also covered by CNN, BBC,
Buzznews Feed, Guardian, WUNRN and other many medias globally where girls and
women are not only suffered from the menstrual restriction but also found death
at sheds as outcomes of practicing restrictions. Empirically, there is no any
call for action yet (Bhandari, 2016) .
The MHM and
MR was not mentioned explicitly in many human right related conference and
resolutions such as Program of Action 1994, the Bejing Platform for Action
1995, World Health Assembly Resolution 64 on Water Resolution and Sanitation,
2011. It is being ignored in both development and human right discourse
globally including Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030. Here, this report
reviewed the alignment of MHM/MR with SDGs, the Nepali Constitution 2015 and Guideline
on Chhaupadi in relation with human right framework and localization of global
policies in to practice.
Objective:
ü To assess the compatibility of SDGs, Nepali Constitution 2015 and
Guideline on Chhaupadi developed
by government with MRH and MR
ü To identify the gaps in understanding and implementation in
relation to MHM and MR
Analysis of Sustainable Goals (SDGs):
There are 17 goals and
169 targets finalized and approved by UN state members in September 2015[1].
In general, the SDGs 2030 is remained silent on MHM or MR whereas at first, in 2014, The UN Human Rights Council recognized
that the gender equality is the due to deep ignorance on MHM and MR in
development and human right discourse (UN, Human Rights Council, Res.,
2014) . It is claimed by the key note speaker of
Women Deliver 2016 too (Grijns, 2016) . But again, while approving the SDG
2030, the MRH and MR exist in hibernation.
None
of the target speaks related to MHM and MR such as menstrual taboos,
restrictions, poor menstrual hygiene whereas it speaks directly on issues such
as child marriage and FGM (Female Genital Mutation) which are less in quantity
than menstruation. However, if we go through analysis of the target under the
goal number of 1,3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 16, there is indirect connection with MHM/MR
in many ways. Here, the below matrix discusses about it, gaps and analysis.
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SDGs
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Target
|
Gap Analysis
|
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1.
End Poverty in all its forms everywhere
|
1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in
particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic
resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership and control
over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources,
appropriate new technology and financial services, including
microfinance
|
Out
of five targets under goal one, only target 1.4 has very thin lining with MHM/MR
or merely absence of link with MHM/MR. Based on case stories
|
|
3.
Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
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3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and
reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information
and education, and the integration of reproductive health into
national strategies and programmes.
|
There
are nine targets formulated under goal three. Among them, target 3.7 is
related with MHM/MR if we include the MHM/MR under umbrella word of
Reproductive Health (RH), information and education. How could state and
non-state actors ensure the healthy lives and promote well- being without
talking and caring of MHM/MR which is a very important element of RH. It was
agreed by PATH
|
|
4.
Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote life or
learning opportunities for all.
|
4.4: By
2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant
skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment,
decent jobs and entrepreneurship
4.5: By
2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to
all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable,
including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in
vulnerable situations.
4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the
knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including,
among others, through education for sustainable development and
sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture
of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of
cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable
development
4.a: Build and upgrade education facilities
that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe,
non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all
|
Out
of seven targets, three targets are related with MHM/MR though it is not
explicitly mentioned.
The
education, employment, and gender equality are the human right issue which
are not fully achieved and enjoyed without MHM/MR. Because the right to education is guaranteed in Article
13 ICESCR. Likewise, the Article 10 CEDAW urged to take appropriate measures
for equality in education
The
4.a. target is also being used by PATH (PATHa).
|
|
5.
Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
|
5.1: End all
forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.
5.2: Eliminate
all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and
private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of
exploitation
5.3: Eliminate
all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and
female genital mutilation
5.5: Ensure women’s
full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership
at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life
5.6: Ensure universal
access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as
agreed in accordance with the Programme of Action of the International
Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action
and the outcome documents of their review conferences
|
Among
six targets, five targets have indirect connection with MHM/MR without
referring it. But, PATH claimed that only target 5.1 has connection with
MHM/MR. The menstruation is underlying cause for institutionalizing the
gender discrimination at family and communal level but it doesn't get space
at all. MHM is disguised under the word of gender discrimination, violence,
traditional harmful practices which is largely depends on an individual
analysis, mind set and interpretation that means MHM is not priority for
action. In Target 5.6. reminded the universal access to sexual and
reproductive health according to Cairo Conference 1994 and Bejing Conference
1995 but these both do not refer the issue MHM/MR directly. Poor MHM/MR is
the outcome of various forms of violence against women includes abuses, rape,
death, murder (AWON, 2013, Paudel, R.,2014) that affirmed by UN declaration
on Violence Against Women
“Any act of gender based violence that
result in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or mental harm or
suffering to women including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary
deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.
|
|
6.
Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for
all
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6.1: By
2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable
drinking water for all
6.2: By
2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for
all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of
women and girls and those in vulnerable situations.
|
There
are six targets under goal six where only two targets related with MHM though
there is no clearly speaking on menstruation or period or MHM. Indirectly
referred to the MHM by saying all and special attention to the needs of women
and girls and those in vulnerable situations. Poor water supply and
sanitation for MHM/MR is one cause of missing school (Wateraid, 2009).
|
|
8.
Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and
productive employment and decent work for all
|
8.5: By
2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all
women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and
equal pay for work of equal value
|
Only one target out of the ten
indirectly related with MHM. The right to employment and decent work are the
issue of human right reinforced in Article 6 (1) and 7(b) ICESCR and Article
11(1) and 11(1)(f) CEDAW.
|
|
16.
Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide
access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive
institutions at all levels.
|
16.1: Significantly
reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere
16.2: End
abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and
torture of children
16.7: Ensure responsive,
inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all
levels
|
Among
ten targets under goal 16, three targets associated with MHM/MR accordance of
UN declaration on violence against Women because many girls and women
suffered from various forms of violence due to following of sets of menstrual
restrictions. Girls and women depressed and suicidal (AWON, 2013) during
period due to poor MHM/MR. Likewise, many girls and women are dying in
cowshed, deprived from having nutritious food, clean clothes, rest,
participation etc. during period so they are living in non-visible conflict
within themselves, with their family and community
|
Analysis of the Nepalese Constitution 2015
The Constitution 2015 (Government,
2015)
has aligned with international human right instruments in many ways. In it's
permeable, speaks about the gender and discrimination that sense a lot for
guaranteeing the citizen's right. In relation with MHM/MR, under the Part III,
there are many articles; 16, 17,18, 24,30,31,35,36,37 and 38 that have thin and
thick connection with. The below matrix discussed on what extent these
abovementioned articles aligned with MHM/Mr or not.
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Location in Constitution 2015
|
Provision in Constitution
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Gap Analysis
|
|
Premeable
|
In Paragraph four, it includes the elimination of
all forms of discrimination respect to culture, gender, ......for
building just society
|
It is
very good indicator that constitution articulates under the premises of the
constitution because the MHM/MR is the outcome of discrimination due to
gender.
|
|
Part 3,
Fundamental rights and Duties, Article 16: Right to dignified life
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1. Each
individual deserved to right to dignity of life.
|
This sub article of article 16, is directly link
with MHM/MR. Keeping girls and women in poor hygienic condition and imposed
sets of restrictions during period is not the right to dignified life that
confirmed by the Article I, UN, Human Right Declaration' all human being are born free and equal in dignity and rights'
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|
Part 3,
Fundamental rights and Duties, Article 17: Right to Freedom
|
2.1.
Freedom of idea and expression
|
This
sub article is not direct though there is thin lining to connect with MHM/MR.
Each girl and women should not be deprived to join any meetings or gathering
during period that affirmed by Article 2, 3 and 9 of Human Right Declaration (UN,
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948). In many circumstances (Paudel,
2016) girls and women are not able to join any cultural programs, group
meetings where there right of freedom of idea and expression is
violated.
|
|
Part 3:
Fundamental rights and Duties, Article 18: Right to Equality
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1. Each
citizen is equal by virtue of law, no one should have deprived from the
privileges of equality.
2.
There is no any discrimination at the name of origin, religion, colour,
caste, gender, physical condition, disability, health
condition, marital status, pregnancy, economic condition, language or region,
ideology etc.
|
Out of
four sub articles, two articles are directly related with MHM/MR where girls
and women shouldn't be discriminated at the name of their physical condition if
it interprets for menstruation but not necessary to all and everywhere. It is
also a proclaimed by Human Right Declaration, right to dignity, Article 1.
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|
Part 3:
Fundamental rights and Duties, Article 24: Right to discrimination against
contamination (Chhuwachhut) and discrimination
|
1. No
one should not be discriminated at public and private place at the name of
origin, caste, ethnicity, community, profession, work or physical
condition.
5. If
any act against above mentioned sub articles, is considered as serious
social crime and punishable. And also, victims should get compensation as
policy.
|
Out of
five articles, two articles directly related with MHM/MR. The menstruation is
a form of physical condition so girls and women shouldn't have discriminated
at all no matter whether they are at home or beyond. But no one aware about
such level of rights girls and women deserved. Till date, none of the cases
reported until and unless associated with rape, death or murder. The state
and non-state actors are also not aware such level of constitutional
provisions. In many cases, the inexperienced social mobilizers are involved
in local level activism
|
|
Part 3:
Fundamental rights and Duties, Article 30: Right to Healthy Environment
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1. Each
citizen should live in clean and healthy environment
|
While
girls and women are under the practice of sets of restrictions, they are
deprived from clean and healthy environment as well as suffered from various
forms of immediate and long term health problems. Many literatures supported
this including various human rights declarations.
|
|
Part 3:
Fundamental rights and Duties, Article 31: Right to Education
|
1. Each
citizen has right to access to basic education
|
Out of
five sub articles, only one sub article directly linked with MHM/MR. Girls
are deprived from education 60 days in a year in many parts of the country
such as Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Mugu, Chitwan etc. (Paudel, 2016).
|
|
Part 3:
Fundamental rights and Duties, Article 35: Right to Health
|
4. Each
citizen has right of access to clean drinking water and sanitation.
|
Out of
four sub articles, only one directly connected with MHM/MR. Because girls and
women deprived from clean drinking water and sanitation at home, schools and
community. Many schools do not have toilets, if they have there is no toilets
for girls, if there is toilet for girls, there is no water supply. In many
places of the country, girls and women put in to the shed which are so
unhygienic ((Paudel, Radha Paudel Foundation,
2016).
|
|
Part 3: Fundamental rights and Duties, Article 36:
Right to Food
|
2. Each citizen has right to protect from
unavailability of food.
|
During
period, girls and women not allow to eat nutritious food such as milk and
milk products, meat and meat products, vegetables, fruits, rice etc. These
acts contrary with the right to food, article 9, Human Right Declaration.
|
|
Part 3:
Fundamental rights and Duties, Article 37: Right to House
|
1. Each
citizen has right to have an appropriate house.
|
Putting
girls and women in sheds and other inappropriate places during period is
contrary with this fundamental right. It is also confirmed by Article 3 and
25 Human Right Declaration 1948.
|
|
Part 3:
Fundamental rights and Duties, Article 38: Right to Women
|
2. Each
woman deserved for safe motherhood and reproductive health
3.
Shouldn't commit any physical, mental, sexual, psychological or any form
of violence or exploitation for women on the basis of religion, social,
cultural, traditional or any. In case of such violence, should punish as well
as provision of compensation according to policy.
|
Out of
six sub articles, number two and three are directly related with MHM/MR.
Imposed various forms of restrictions to women is the violence of physical,
sexual, psychological where girls and women are not only affected in
immediate term but also affected for longer term that impacted up to safe
motherhood and entire reproductive health of girls and women (Paudel, Radha Paudel Foundation, 2016). It
is also confirmed by the various UN declarations as already mentioned.
|
Guideline
on Chhaupadi Elimination in 2064 (2008)
The
Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare formulated the guideline on
Chhaupadi Elimination 2064 (2008) according to the stay order of supreme court
in 2005. It is a good step to have some sorts of policy but very incomplete in order
to address the MHM/MR in holistic manner. The below matrix discussed about its
position in relation to practicality as well as human right perspectives.
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Existing Policy
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Existing Practice
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Gaps Analysis
|
|
· 1.
This guideline called Chhaupadi Custom Elimination Guidelines 2064
· 1.2.
This guideline enforced immediately 2064
|
No definition for Chhaupadi
· None
of the case reported yet
|
There
is no definition for Chhaupadi
Actors
working on their own understandings, biases and behaviours.
· More
than 95 % families practicing including service provides, advocates etc.
· Many
state stakeholders do not aware about this guideline in a decade course of
formulation of guidelines (
|
|
· 2.
Objective: This document is formulated to create just, equal society and
improved health, Chhaupadi is considered as a form of discrimination and
violence against girls and women. It is being practice in few districts of
Far and mid-west region in Nepal where girls were isolated for 11 days during
first menstruation, 5 days for unmarried girls and 4 days for married women.
During these days, girls and women have to stay in menstrual sheds, deprived
to go to the public places such as school, tap, road etc. eating milk, not
allow to eat nutritious food such as milk, curd, ghee etc.
|
· There
are various forms of restrictions; entering (in to house, school, temple, any
social and cultural gatherings, meetings), touching (any male members,
pregnant women, infants, pickle, plants of fruits and vegetables, religious
books) and not allow to eat (fruits, vegetables, milk and milk products, meat
and meat products, rice)
|
· There
is no comprehensive study on the gravity and impact of the Chhaupadi yet.
· The
bottom line principle is restriction during menstruation. In line with this
principle, the Chhaupadi is practicing across the country and beyond where
Nepalese resided
· There
is immediate and long term adverse effect by practicing various forms of
restrictions. The sets of restrictions seriously affect in physical,
psychological, reproductive and nutritional health, education, employment,
marriage (voluntary child marriage) and often rape, bite by wild animals and
snakes, rape, murder and eventually death
· It
is key barrier for peace, serious forms of violence of human right, empowerment
and also barrier for achieving sustainable development goals
|
|
· 3.
The process of Elimination of Chhaupadi Pratha (custom): The following
activities will be launched;
· A.
Immediate Program:
1. Will be followed the ways to raise awareness on
Chhaupadi related traditional beliefs, norms, mandates and practices.
2. Provided information on health service and
nutrition to girls and women who are directly affected by.
3. Felicitate he individuals, family and community
who eliminate Chhaupadi.
B. Long Term Program:
1. Along with economic, social and political
empowerment, for proportionate participation of women in all sectors;
national and social, and conduct the programs.
2. Build just society where women assured their
human right beanfield by legal provisions.
|
· In
few villages of far west and mid-west region, few and small scale activities
are launched by state and non-state actors includes orientation programs,
song competition, banners, quiz competition etc.
· The
message on health and nutrition is included in above mentioned activities.
· At
local level, few state and non-state organizations felicitated.
· It
is associated with overarching goal of women empowerment. There are no
specific provisions for the sake of empowering women in longer run.
· Till
date, the government formulated guideline on elimination of Chhaupadi only.
|
· This
article is so far fine if the country is regulated by the policy and system.
Unfortunately, merely absence of enforcement of the policies due to various
reasons including silence for impunity, political instability and
interference, inadequate policies etc. In this condition, this article is
worthless at all. Many state and non-state actors who are front line of this
program do not know the physiology of menstruation and childbirth and do not
ready to break taboos or restrictions at their individual life as role model.
· Specially
girls and women suffered so much and each man aware about the condition over
Chhaupadi though they do not like to eliminate due to their believe on god
and religion at first. Thus, these types of activities are already outdated.
They need critical analysis of nature, science and of course of religious
books. Without know the fact of construction of Chhaupadi, not possible to
eliminate the Chhaupadi.
· In
practice the Chhaupadi related program started to organize as formality by
stakeholders where no one connect it with overarch goal of women empowerment
· Due
to Nepalese societal construction and structure, men are the power holders
even for the Chhaupadi as father, grandfather, faith healer, Pandit, or any
other form so they should be engaged critically for results
|
|
· 4.
Authorities for conduction of programs:
· 4.1.
In order to implemented activities as mentioned in article 3, the following
committee will be formed in Chhaupadi existing districts.
· 4.1.1.
District Level Committee
ü District
Development Office: Coordinator
ü District
Administrative Office: Member
ü District
Education Office: Member
ü District
Public Health Office: Member
ü District
Police Office: Member
ü National
and International NGOs: Member
ü Women
Leader/representative from women's group: Member
ü Representative
from child club: Member
ü Representative
from Teacher: Member
ü Women
Development Office: Member Secretary.
|
· The
Chhaupadi monitoring committee started to form and implemented.
· Usually
conduct meetings while the days or celebrations approaching.
|
· The
committee does not give the space for
Pandits and faith healers where the Chhaupadi rules imparted directly
and indirectly in many ways.
· The
district level committee is always busy and travelling so very hard to make
complete. In many cases, there is no fund and no specific agenda too.
· Till
date, the cases are not identified and bring in to legal action unless there
is no involvement of rape or murder or death.
· They
only focused on speech, celebrations and at district level.
|
|
· 4.1.2.Municipality/Village
level committee
ü Municipality/village:
Coordinator
ü Government
representatives from same locality: Member
ü Representatives
of National and International NGOs: Member
ü Women
Leader/representatives of women's group: Member
ü Representatives
from Child Club: Member
ü Representative
from Teacher: member
|
· The
formation of local committees are started recently where the NGOs are working
on Chhaupadi.
|
It is bit more functional than the
district level though the level of understanding is very because many members
are still practicing it at their family level (Paudel, 2016).
|
|
· 4.2.
The committee as 4.1. should implement the activities based on action plan.
|
The activities are implemented in these areas where
more NGOs are working in this issue e.g. Jumla
|
· The
way of addressing Chhaupadi is very filthy indeed. Because Chhauapdi is not linear
and unidirectional issue. It has multifaceted as well as has immediate and
long term impacts. It also has different spectrum e.g. Public and Private. By
and large, this is urgent and political issue but not getting attention
everywhere.
|
|
· 4.3.
The local stakeholders should have endorsed the activities in to their annual
plan as well as allocate the budget accordingly
|
· It
depends on availability of funding. Till date, few village grant and NGO's
fund are using in event basis.
|
· As
mentioned above the comprehensive action plan needed for addressing
Chhaupadi. It has to reach at individual level than in mass. Mass has already
aware about it.
|
|
· 5.
Target Community:
1.
Schools
2.
Girls and women who affected from
Chhaupadi
3.
Community (Dhami, Jhakri, Pandit,
Mukhiya (community leader etc.)
4.
Senior members and other of the
family
5.
Political Parties
|
· In
many cases, target only for schools, girls and women.
· Usually,
political parties remain silence on it. I found couple of incidents where
political leaders, experts and lawyer are in favour of Chhaupadi. So it is
very complex.
|
· Dhami
Jhakri, Pandit, Mukhiya are missing while formulating the activities which
put women in more risks. Women are vocal in front of trainer or training but
unable to convince at home or speak in front of the male or senior member of
the family. In many cases, women left the group meeting due to conflict of
talking about menstruation, Chhaupadi which is considered as stigma or taboo
in the community.
· The
boys and men have to take lead role to unpeel the practice of Chhaupadi.
Likewise, women and men who have demonstrated the role model, should
mobilized them for building more allies
|
|
·
6. Resource Mobilization: The
proposed committee will mobilize following resources for implementation of
activities as 4.1.
1.
Resource from local stakeholders
2.
Government's resource
3.
Resource from I/NGOs
4.
Other resource
|
· There
is no specific resource for Chhaupadi, always experienced conflict for
marking activities during days. The fund is more easy if there is NGOs which
are working directly in Chhaupadi.
|
· It
showed that the government is not serious in this regards. It doesn't see the
direct and indirect link with Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs), peace,
human right and empowerment. The restriction during period is key cause for
almost all forms of discrimination and violence.
|
|
· 7.
Have to assist: All individuals who possess various public positions, members
of the Chhaupadi affected girls and women, and each citizen of the society
obligated to eliminate the Chhaupadi.
|
· It
is not applicable at large. It is very ideal statement which is not relevant
in Nepalese society. Chhaupadi is not considered as crime or violence at
large.
|
· Many
school teachers, health workers, activists are following the practice at
their home where as they are preaching against Chhaupadi at public life.
· The
accountability at personal and relational level practice is merely absence.
In many cases, the NGOs and few political groups insisting to follow
Chhaupadi.
|
Conclusion and Recommendation
In Nepal, there
are many policies are in place for promoting and protecting human right of
girls and women specially followed by People's War 2006. More importantly,
Nepal has signatory country for declarations related with rights of girls and
women e.g. CEDAW etc. However, these policies are not addressed in holistically
as well as not transferred in to the action at large.
Based on the above
mentioned national and international policies, this paper recommended as
following;
1.
MHM and MR is not only women's issue, it is everyone issue
therefore have to mentioned very clearly where applies.
2.
While crafting the policies nationally, the MHM/MR should go
very clearly as cross cutting issues across all sectors and levels. There are
many words can link with MHM and MR but not clearly mentioned the word of MHM
or MR or menstruation or Chhaupadi in Constitution 2015.
3.
The guideline on Chhaupadi has to amendment in order to craft
in more comprehensive manner as well as enforcement. Now, the guideline is so
vague and very difficult to follow to all state and non-state actors who are
working in MHM/MR.
4.
This Chhaupadi is not legal provision at all so need to
formulate the specific policy for dignified menstruation.
5.
Also need to disseminate the message as much as possible by
conducting community activities as well as engagement with media at all
sectors.
Bibliography
Bhandari, K. M.
(2016, December 27). How these Women can Sleep? Kathmandu, Nepal:
Annapurna Post.
Chhanel, I.
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