Thursday, March 23, 2017

Radha's Experience on Dignified Menstruation and Menstrual Health Management (MHM) and Rights

·         2013 onwards, Key Informant for Global researchers, film makers on MHM and Rights 
restrictions, policies, barriers/challenges and activism

·         2013 onwards, spoke with international media for documentary/films, newspapers, radio etc. such as  Guardian, Discovery, Home Bird, Germany, BNN Netherland, South Korea, Canada, Vergina Loaf Netherland etc.

·         2017, Member for Policy on MHM, Ministry of Water Supply and Sanitation

·         2017, Ministry of Water Supply and Sanitation/WSSCC, Master Training on MHM

·         2017, Ministry of Water Supply and Sanitation/WSSCC
Presented two papers; cross-section of practices and policies on menstrual restriction and Chhaupadi in Nepal (single) and Institutional Mapping of MHM in Nepal (Joint)

·         2017, Swiss Development Cooperation/WASH Consortium
Took the lead role for assessment of MHM activities in WASH consortium (HELVITAS, SWISS Redcross, Terre des Hommes
Took lead role for design and all for organizing regional MHM workshop, Dang

·         2016, Completion of book, entitled, BLOOD: PRIDE NOT STIGMA (Yet to publish)

·         2016, The Radha Paudel Foundation, sensing menstrual practices and  restrictions in Parsa

·         2016, Panelist, Speaker in 14 different forums in USA
Urgency and Importance of MHM in Nepal at RHSC 17th global conference, PATH, WIN, University of Florida, Sanat Fe College etc. at Seattle, LA, Texas, Florida

·         2016, Columbia University&UNICEF, USA, 5th Annual Virtual Conference on Menstrual Health Management

·         2016, Thames International College, Kathmandu, Nepal, MHM and role of youths at Thames International College, Kathmandu

·         2016, Martin Chautari/Karnali 2020, Kathmandu, Speaker on Menstrual Restriction and Human right, peace building and development, March 2016

·         2016, Sarbodaya Nepal/Italian Foundation, Took the lead role to facilitate the training on Menstrual Rights, gender, inclusion and Anti Chhaupadi Campaign

·         2016, Her Turns, Guest Lecture on Menstrual Health and Challenges in Nepal, Oxford University, UK: Women and Children in Rural Nepal, March 2015

·        2015, Oxford University, Humanitarian Center, Cambridge University, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK, Urgency and importance of MHM in Nepal

·         2015, Essex University, UK, Premier Show of documentary and discussion on Menstrual Restriction in Nepal

·         2014, BEE Group/Italian Foundation Nepal: Gender Based Violence and women empowerment
·         2014, University of Florida, USA: Rural Women's Life in Nepal

·         2014, BEE Group/ Italian Foundation Nepal: Gender Based Violence and women empowerment

·         2014, PACE Nepal, Role of political leaders, media, community leaders and youths in peace building and human rights

·         2013, PACE Nepal, Role of political leaders, media, community leaders and youths in peace building and human rights

·         2013, Action Works Nepal, Conducted a study among adolescent girls in Jumla and Kalikot

·         2010, Action Works Nepal, the anti-chhaupadi campaign started again in Karnali

·         2009, took lead role to accomplish the death ritual of my mother along with Younger sister and brother

·         2006, CEDPA/USAID, the menstrual restriction is identified as key issues among adolescent girls through national girls' congress and intervene by engaging boys, schools, faith healers etc.

·         2001-2004, SaferMotherhood Project/DFID, started the anti-Chhaupadi Campaign in Jumla

·       1998, Tribhuvan University, Nursing Campus, Maharajgunj, the title of Thesis was 'Menstrual Hygiene among Newari Women in Gokarna, Kathmandu'

·         1991, Nursing Campus Pokhara, started to educate and abolish the menstrual restrictions at home and near by

·    1979, Mother and Neighborhood, know and learned about menstruation when I was 7 years, witnessed all procedures of Rishipanchami and abuses and restrictions among my sisters in shed. Determined to fight against it and broke the family law by ran away from house when I was at grade 10 or 14 years old.


Myths, Rumours, Misconceptions around Menstruation

I have been working around menstrual hygiene and rights since childhood. I have very long and interesting stories on how and why I engaged. I have identified various forms of restrictions,myths, misconceptions though like to share here. Hope you  will like this. 

Tuesday, March 7, 2017

#MHM practices in Nepal, a Technical review


Comments on Review of all Technical Papers[1]

1.    It is my great pleasure and privilege to work as Coordinator for Technical review committee. I would like to extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to Ministry of Water and Sanitation as well as WSSCC, National Chapter for trusting and of course my team members; Priya, Kalawati, Manima, Aratti for their generous support.

I am woman

सिक्का हो म
एकातिर शक्ती, सिरिस्टि, सर्बस्य,
अर्कोतिर, पाप, नरक, बस्तु .
कहिले सिक्का गूड्किन्छ,
ढुङ्गा रसाये झै पस्किन्छु हासो,
कहिले सिक्का पल्टिन्छ,
आकाश भासिन्छ, अस्तित्व नै हराउछ,
जब सिक्का फर्किन्छ फेरी,
सगर चुम्छु म, आकाश तर्सिन्छ जसै .
हरेक दृष्‍टि र ब्रिस्तिको परिभासामा,
कहिले सडकमा पुराइन्छु,कहिले बगरमा,
कहिले पैतालामुनी त कहिले पिप्कुन्ड
खीइएको छु, कुचिएको छु तर फेरिएको छैन,
करोड्पती होस् वा सुन्यपती,बिलाएको छैन
किन् भने,
म महिला हुँ .
म सिरिस्टि हुँ

Journey of Menstrual Dignity, from Canada and Swizerland to Jumla

I went to Jumla after Long gap. I promised to visit Jumla at least once in a year. I visited in September 2022 so have to go in September 20...