Namaste, Salam Alekam and good morning,
All protocols observed.
ü I would like to extend my sincere thanks and gratitude for this award
ü And
special thanks goes to Rotary District Office 3292, President of Rotary Club of
Bhaktapur, Rotarian Dr. Suniti Acharya, and Rotarian Joanne Frappier from
Rotary club of Montreal Canada.
ü I
am so honored and humbled. With the tender age of 7 I observed my mother's loss
of dignity during menstruation. It bothered me so much that I even attempted
suicide at the age of 9.
ü It
was unfortunate and yet fortunate for my future, so I am standing here in front
of you all as a global leader for Dignified Menstruation.
ü I
accepted this award and dedicate it to my father and late mother. They were not
only the ones to educate me about menstrual discrimination. They also groomed
to have me strong wings. Strong wings I use to fly in the service for Dignified
Menstruation since my childhood, it is already more than 4 decades.
ü I
also dedicate this award to all people who born with uterus and ovaries all
around the globe.
ü I
was so thrilled when the RI President Jennifer Jones launched balloons with us on
the occasion of the 4th International Dignified Menstruation day, last year at
Bhaktapur.
ü What
a proud moment for me as a founding person and for Nepal as the country in
which the concept of dignified menstruation originated. Similarly I am proud
that we globally celebrate the International Day of Dignified Menstruation
every year on December 8th.
ü Yet,
I gently would like to remind you all that Dignified Menstruation is not just
about the 5 days of bleeding or issues related to poverty or illiteracy.
Neither is it only a Nepalese problem. Dignified menstruation is also not about
confronting any religion, ethnicity, country or region.
ü Menstrual
Discrimination (has been) is practiced across the globe under different names,
in different forms and various magnitudes.
ü As
an innovative and holistic approach to dismantle all forms of menstrual
discrimination, we strive to challenge patriarchy. We believe dignified
menstruation is everyone’s business because it is matter of human rights for
over 50 % of the population in this planet.
ü More
importantly, it is the (concern) reason of yours, mine and everyone’s existence
and all life on this planet.
ü For
my understanding Rotary could as well make dignified menstruation a central
aspect of its global movement. Because dignified menstruation is matter of
peace, human right, empowerment of girls and women, climate action, health,
education etc. All areas in which the Rotarian’s put tremendous efforts.
ü Keeping
dignified menstruation at center of your work would make your impacts multiply.
I would vow for it.
ü RI
Director A. S. Venaktes (ए एस भेनकटेस), RI PR Nishita
Pedenekar, his Excellency Dean R. Thomson, and everyone, let us
drive this movement together from here. Let's deepen the dialogue and develop
joint activities and together shape the pathway to a future with dignity for
all menstruators and non menstruators.
ü Again,
I extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to all of you with immense commitment
and compassion for Dignified Menstruation in Nepal and all around the
globe.
ü Thank you again for the invitation to be here today.
