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.
2.
Due to time constraints, we have gone through
so quickly and try to come up with inputs or perspectives not comments indeed.
It is all because of way of our work and mindset.
3.
In some extent, specially me is bit critical
does it mean that we are creative towards tissue and the Peace, Human right, empowerment
and SDGs broadly. You might upset by seeing way of saying. Sincere apology for
that.
4.
We do not go with details. we simply see the
way where we are moving and what are the major gaps or potential to create
gaps, in presentation, contents and understanding the issues. We are trying to
see the papers on to what extent we are able to address or understand the
underlying cause of menstrual practice in Nepali community and how can we
redress collectively.
5.
This is beginning, we all are on the way of
learning though we have ignored or forget this issue which has with us when the
nature mother created as male and female.
6.
The comments presented in two categories as
follows
A.
Applied
to all
1.
Structure of the Presentation
Brief
Introduction
Practices
in Nepal
key
intervention or process or Methodology with specification but brief or bullets
Achievements
and impacts
Challenges
lesson
learns supported by some instances
way
forward
If
any success stories/voice of people or photos or facts
B.
Applied
for specific presentation (Please follow as individual presentation)
1. Participatory photography project
– Sirthauli, Sindhuli,
Wateraid
1. In
Nepal, the use of technology by adolescents is becoming debateable. Even
experts arguing that the child marriage and school dropped out rate is
increasing because of mobile and Facebook. Here, technology created opportunity
for learning and empowerment as well as understand the gravity of the issue
among girls. Thus, highly appreciated.
2. Due to
practice or learning by doing approach, it is more not only visible but also
sustainable
3. However,
how can the girls from rural, poor communities can manage such approaches, or
how can we extend this approach at larger level
4. Is
this photography skills linked with other opportunities e.g. entrepreneurship
related with and without MHM?
2. Study on menstrual hygiene
management in Udaypur and Sindhuli districts of Nepal, WaterAid Nepal
1. Even though the study
conducted in two district, findings are similar or applied across countries
2. The absence in school
during period is leading to poor education and employment which is serious
concern to all stakeholders
3. Urgency to peel up the
rumours, myths and misconceptions around menstruation in order to empower girls
at family, school and community at large
4. The engagement of
private sectors, boys, men and also crucial to accept the natural beauty of
menstruation as well as hold accountability at an individual level
5.
Innovative approaches for initiate enterprise
on MHM also a one key area to explore and intervene where win-win situation
could be achieved
3. An
Overview of Chhaupadi Practices in Mid and Far Western Region of Nepal, By Ritu
- The
study is very comprehensive in way to understand the patterns of
chhaupadi, restrictions and its impact associated with
- The
analysis regarding chhaupadi is still considered as narrow sense or
limited it only in far and mid-west context which is not true. The
Chhaupadi practice is across globe where Nepalese communities are living.
Because chhaupadi associate with many forms of restrictions which is being
practice in Kathmandu, eastern Nepal, UK, and USA. The only a difference is range of restriction
- Humla
also have same level of chhaupadi
- The
elites are more resist for change, they keep blaming to other family
members specially women and sometimes seniors. They are very good in
communication, they communicate one thing in public and doing other thing
in private. Sometimes, it also depends on project staff. The chhaupadi is
complex behaviour associated with culture, religion, communal honour,
poverty, ignorance, gender etc. It is very hard to identify if someone
will not provoke the practices tactfully. Not living in shed doesn’t mean
of abolish of chhaupadi. We have to see critically whether they aware on
science and nature behind the menstruation or not
- The
engagement of faith healers, boys and men are important rather liner way
of educating or empowering e.g. women
- The
radio program is useful for the awareness raising but is it accessible to
them who are practicing chhaupadi
- Chhaupadi
is continued by health educators, teachers because people or NGO people
not know the facts about menstruation. The staff who is practicing
chhaupadi at home and asking to abolish in public which is very contrary
way of project implementation and also key barrier of chhaupadi or poor
MHM in Nepal.
- First,
good MHM and MR practice include in to the code of conduct of office or
job. Those who can clean their house properly, only they can shout to
their neighbour for clean
- The
capacity building should be participatory followed by coaching and follow
up review and reflection at least between 3-4 months for a year to see the
changes
4. Draft Case on Menstruation
Hygiene Management from KIRDARC Jumla
Use
only a case study, the other file, I failed to open)
1. The
story was so moved,
2. It is
real case scenario of many districts specially in western Nepal
3. The
impact was mentioned very well, how the girls suffered at immediate and long
term
4. There
is huge gap or misunderstanding around the menstrual restriction or taboo.
Because the support in construction of toilet, provision of sanitary pads are
easy ways to intervene and community also like the hard ware part but not a
solution of addressing underlying causes of restrictions during period.
5. The
rumours, misconceptions are not addressed so the pattern of violence is
changing associated with menstruation e.g. abuse in shed,
6. This
case urged to everyone to act urgently in following ways:
ü Engagement
of the all segment of population in community in rationalization of rumours,
practices first. Once they realized, they will construct the toilet or seek
sanitary pads then the project can support as partner. This is most empowering
and sustained approach which demands more time, mentoring, coaching.
o
or
ü the
software and hard ware could go side by side. It is easy but community may not
own the responsibility
ü Engagement
with boys and men for accountability practice is very crucial to protect the
human rights of girls and women. Because it is beyond the involve of boys and
men in program (They should hold accountability at personal level,
transformation)
5. Student’s
knowledge regarding Menstrual Hygiene Management and practices in Kathmandu
District
1. As other papers, here the way
of understanding the MHM is biased e.g. the first sentence says; Inadequate knowledge of menstrual hygiene
at schools may lead to poor hygiene practice which in long term, can aggravate
the both the health of school students and school environment as well, indeed,
there is inadequate knowledge in menstruation that is why they are not
understand the good MHM
2.
No matter what sorts
of concept around menstruation, they all are ranges of restriction and similar
with Chhaupadi so it helps to understand the chhaupadi is practicing in
Kathmandu. 7%
of respondents responded menstruation as the Untouchability, more than 82% responded that they are not allowed
to enter in the kitchen and worship area. Also 3% responded that they couldn’t
sleep at home. Similarly, 10% responded of other concepts such as, girls can’t
touch plants/flowers, they are not allowed to touch water or even look at the
sun etc. And nearly 1% didn’t respond at
all.
3.
Only
11.7 % respondents do not know the sanitary pads.
which is not bad. Why did we need to worry on not using sanitary pad? The type
of sanitary pad is choice of an individual just need at least clean and
cotton
4.
From the data of school
leaving, drying the cloth pad, menstrual needs and rights being confined only
for women. Principally, there is no difference between western Nepal and
Kathmandu
6. Community Understanding
on Menstrual Hygiene Management, CODEF
1. Very alignment with MHM practice
2. Exist varieties of restriction, stigma,
misconception that socialized from family and school which impacted in
education and other daily life of girls and women
3. using pads is
quite impressive
7. Legitimizing
ODF and Changing Chhaupadi, SEBAK/USAID
1.
The process,
contents are aligned with MHM.
2.
Engaging men in
campaign is very important and appreciated
3.
Since
Menstruation is complex and multifaceted issue related with emotional and
behaviors change so the orientation or training should be in such as way where
any stakeholder can understand the physiology of menstruation, cross cut all
rumors, myths around menstruation, see the link with national and international
human rights frame
8. RURAL VILLAGE WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PROJECT
III STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN
AGAINST HARMFUL CHHAUPADI PRACTICES,
2017
This is 46 page report so hard to go in such
limited time. More importantly, chhaupadi is covered almost all papers so I
escape.
9. Helping Girls Transition from Childhood to
Womanhood in Nepal
1. More
comprehensive in concepts and implementation plan
10. Quality Control
Aspects of Sanitary Napkins, Shobha
2.
Good imitative, appreciated
3.
It is important to produce locally with quality,
affordability
4.
Expect the home based experienced or usability by
girls and women in Nepal
5.
what about the cost? duration of absorbent?
6.
Any reversed affect from using this?
7.
3 Ps (profit, planet, people) ???
8.
Cost for installation of a plant at rural village
and its market ???
11. ljBfno :jf:Yo kf]if0f tyf ;DklQ
Joj:yfkg zfvf,;fgf]l7dL, eQmk'/,Division of
Education
Mostly focused on policy and practice, showed that the government already
cascading the SDGs and Constitutional rights 2015 and ready to transfer in to
action. The entire presentation is
self-explanatory and we are just in beginning of SDGs so have to wait and see.
More importantly, we all have to work together for creating synergy among all
of us.
[1] Coordinator
: Radha Paudel, Members: Kalawati Pokhrel, Arati Shrestha, Priya Shrestha, Manima
Budathoki
