Menstrual Hygiene: Background, Challenges and Opportunities

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महिनाबारी दिबस—पृष्टभूमि, चुनौती र अवसर

अंग्रेजी महिनाको यो पाचौ महिना 'मे' संसारभरी नै 'स्वस्थ महिनाबारी' अधिकारको महिनाका रुपमा मनाइरहेको छ | नेपालले पनि सन् २०१४ देखि महिनाबारी दिबस कुनै न कुनै रुपले मनाउन थालेको छ|महिलाहरु महिनाबारी हुदा रगत बग्ने दिनलाई सालाखाला मिलाएर पाच दिन हुने भएकोले पाचौ महिना लिएको हो भने, संसारभरिका महिलाहरुको महिनाबारी चक्र सालाखाला २८ दिनको हुने भएकोले २८ तारिखलाई दिबशको रुपमा मानिएको हो | जब सन् २०१४ मा सयुक्त राष्ट्र संघले लैंगिक समानता हासिल गर्न महिनाबारी बार्ने कारण एक मुख्य बाधक हो भनेर घोषणा गरेपछि बिश्व बिकाशको इतिहासमा महिनाबारिले थोरै भए पनि ठाउँ पाएको छ | अर्थात् प्रकिर्तिक रुपमा प्राप्त महिनाबारी जुन संसार भरिकै महिलाहरुले अनुभब गर्छन र जन्मेदेखि मर्ने वेलासम्म यसको प्रकिर्तिक प्रभाब र सामाजिक मूल्य मान्यता भए पनि लामो समयको अन्तरालमा मात्र महिनाबारिलाई एक सबालको रुपमा हेर्न थालियो |

संसारकै इतिहास हेर्ने हो भने सन् १९४८ देखि मानब अधिकारको बहस शुरु भयो | सन् १९७९ देखि महिला बिरुद हुने सबै खाले भेदभाव बिरुदको महासन्धि घोषणा गरि संसारभरी नै महिला अधिकार र शाश्क्तिकरनका छेत्रमा उल्लेखनीय कामहरु नभएका होएनन तर दुर्भाग्य नै भन्नु पर्दछ महिनाबारीले कतै स्थान पाएन |

Menstrual Talk: Dignity First

The month of May is considered a menstrual month globally since 2014 when UN declared that the as a key barrier for equality. At the same year, the May 28 recognized as International Menstrual Hygiene day and started as celebrations globally including Nepal. Here, May is taken for represents the five for the average bleeding day and 28 considered as average menstrual cycle. Historically, it is originated from the WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) perspective. For them, hygiene is obvious because they observed and learned that girls and women isolated or dropped off school due to not having toilet or menstrual hygiene products. But for a Nepali girl, many invisible elements matter during menstruation to live with dignity.

Key Note Speech during Menstrual Day, 2018

Dear Visitors, 

Here, I have shared a key note speech which was delivered during the first Dignified Menstrual Hygiene Day, May 28, 2018 at National City Hall, organized by government, Nepal.

It is in Nepali (my apology for not able to translate, I will translate in future). I was so happy by seeing the institutionalize the campaign which I have been speaking up for 35 years in voluntary basis across the globe. But I was equally sad and disappointed by seeing the communication regarding my speech. I was assigned for 45 minutes for triggering speech, later sent the written invitation letter for 20 minutes, about 12 hours before I received message for 8 minutes, I informed for 10 minutes with 5-10 minutes extra time as Nepali time (I never speak like this or beyond my provided time but two friends encourage me from the organizing committee). I received the phone call about three hours before with proposal for not presenting in front of ministers.  

I was mad and replied not presenting if they wouldn't have time with ministers. That guy was calling me from the phone of government staff. He cut the phone abruptly.

I was so confuse whether I would speak or not, when would I speak? 

I was just prepared on my own; narrative, slides as summary of narrative for non- Nepali speaker guests and mini hand books for ministers. There was no preparation on time. 

I was invited after the experimental sharing from Dailekh, 16 years girls. She only shared the experience of cowshed. That was very obvious and brave lady.

When I started to o read, about 3 minutes, I received the timer message. I continue to read so quick, I keep getting receive same message and finally, a guy came and said stop here by pointing in my paper. I have some questions, and floating on my mind;

If all of the minister were busy, why should they promised to join it.

If  they didn't like to hear the context, how could they understand the issue, suffering and sign in commitment paper.

The Journey of Dignified Mensuration in Nepal: Missing the links

Introduction:

Menstruation is defined by the English Oxford Dictionary is a process in a woman of discharging the blood and other materials from the lining of the uterus at intervals of about one lunar month from puberty until menopause, except during pregnancy. It is natural, developmental process and symbol of reproduction.