Saturday, January 28, 2017

#Policy Analysis: #Menstruation in #Chhaupadi guideline, #Constitution, #SDG

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.

Key Words: Menstrual Rights, Menstrual Health Management, Chhaupadi, SDG, Constitution 2015

Thursday, January 26, 2017

Song- Climate change

Rhododendron, national flower in Jan 20, 2017 at Gurashe, Dailekh 
माघिमा फुलेर लालाि गुराश,
                      मलाई लाज लाग्यो

हिउदैमा नागै देखेर पहाड,
                     हिमालकी छोरी को शान् भाग्यो .

रिताइ सुख्है फाट्हरुले
             पौरखी नेपाली हो र
                 भन्दै गिजायो
                     लौन मलाई गिजायो ।
The mount range from same date and location 
                   

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Human

आमा भन्नु हुन्थ्यो,
रगतको डल्लो हो मान्छे ।
भरे मान्छे त मासु रहेछ ।
हेर्दा हेर्दै चट्टाने पहाड ।
अनी,
बलुवा बनेर पानी सँग पौददो रहेछ।
तेही रगतको प्रकिर्तीमा मिसिस्एर,
फेरी अस्ताउछ मान्छे

Friday, December 23, 2016

Varieties of Cowshed used for Menstrual Period and childbirth in Nepal !

WUNRN

Action Works Nepal - http://www.actionworksnepal.com/ - Radha Paudel, Founder & President

From Radha Paudel in Nepal. “ I am translating and sharing stories on childbirth and periods in sheds which I have been fighting for a very long time. It is published in national online newspapers in Nepali. 

NEPAL – CHILDBIRTH IN SHEDS DIALOGUE
2016-12-05
Original link in Nepali: http://mahilakhabar.com/?p=20736

Report on Anti/Chhaupadi Campaign, Gender, Inclusion and Women Empowerment

FYI: I was invited by Sarbodaya Nepal, I do not take a single penny. They took care of my food, accommodation and transport when I was in Jumla.

Bites for Mahilakhabar.com on Chhaupadi

Here, I have upload the question received from Khima Basent who asked me my opinion via telephone. I was sick and asked to send the questions via email. 

I responded her questions, please scrolled down though it is in Nepali.

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Message to Rapist

ईमेल ईन्टरनेटमा ब्लक गरेर,
बलत्कारी उम्किन सक्छ र ?
पानी मुनी होस् कि आकाशमा,
कानुनले चाहे कहाँ लूक्छ र ?
छाया हो अपराध,
जे जसरी सँग संगै पुग्छ ।
पैसाले छेक्न सक्ला,
पद र राजनीतिले लुकाउन सक्ला,
आकाश र पातलको बासले दुरी लेला
सधैं लुकाउन त ज्यानै फाले के होला र ?
आफुलाई ढाटेर संसार ढाट्न जती सजिलो छ,
गुमाएको विश्वाश दुरुस्तै कसरी बन्छ र ?
जती भाग्दै गयो, दुरी उती लामो,
जती भाग्दै गयो छाया उती छोटो,
जती कतु भये पनि सत्य्त कै जित हो ।

Saturday, November 19, 2016

USA Trip 2016: Activities at Various places


This is my fourth trip to USA. I was invited by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for giving presentation on Menstrual Health Management in Nepal. Shanta and myself joined and contributed in five days program.

There were so many talks,discussion at LA, Texsas, Florida. Few Photos were shared here (Please scrolled down).
Meeting with Ashok and Madhu Patel, at Texsas 

Meeting at Texas with Tennis Player


At UF Dr Willium, Dr Kellerman and Anila 
Speech at UF
Nepali Students at UF after Talk 
Brochure at Sanatafe College




Presentation at RHSC on #MHM as panelist at Seatle, October 13, 2016

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

One Ruppe Aunt


बिहे भएको झन्डै बर्ष पछी छोरी ज्वाँई सँग भेट भो ?

कसरी के कुरा गरु, ज्वाँईलाई के कुरा मन पर्छ सोच्दै गर्दा एसरी कुरा सुरु गरे - सरुपाले मेरो बारेमा के के भनी ज्वाँई नारन ?

ज्वाँईहरु लाई नारन थपिदिएको छु, अरुलाई के लाग्छ कुन्नी मलाई चाँही रमाइलो लाग्छ आखिर जिउने आफ्नै लागि हो

ज्वाँई फरासिला लाग्यो मलाई - एकै चोटि भन्नु भो, सबै कुरा था नि

उहाले हासो नै खप्न सक्नु भएन - तपाईंको नाम -एक रुपैयाँ अन्टी

Friday, September 9, 2016

Letter to Prime Minister Puspa Kamal Dahal, Prachanda regarding his speech on Karnali

सम्माननिय प्रधानमन्त्री पुष्पकमल  पुष्पकमल दाहाल प्रचन्ड ज्यु,
नमस्कार !


सन्जोगले जुराएको हो तपाईं दोस्रो पटक प्रधानमंत्री भएपछी गरेको पहिलो सम्बोधन टेलि भिजनमा हेर्नलाई । तपाईंको पाटिको तर्फबाट तपाईं तेस्रो प्रधानमन्त्री हो। यो वा त्यो बहानमा तपाईंको पाटी सरकारमा जानबाट  अछुतो छैन अर्थात तपाईं र तपाईंको पाटी सरकारमा के होला भनेर तर्सिरहनु पर्ने वा सबै नौलो र अचम्म लाग्ने अवस्थामा हुनु हुन्न।

Friday, August 26, 2016

#menstrualrestriction #SDGs, #Constituion2015, #Newaricommunity, #lalitpur

A day interaction program organised with the Newari women leaders from Lalitpur municipality. Discussed gender, gender based violence, menstrual practices and linkages with SDGs and Constitution 2015. They also discussed on roles and responsibilities on it.
Among Newari community the following restrictions observed at Lalitpur;
  1. Not allowed to enter in Kitchen 
  2. Not allow to enter to worship room or temple and perform of  any forms of puja or rituals 
  3. Not allow to touch the trees of vegetables, fruits 
  4. Used clothes as well as sanitary pads available at market
They are following these by considering the part of religion. They often don't like to touch by hear even though their husbands said no more restriction.

They are belong with low economic class and literate with primary school though they have broad level of understanding and confidence.


Over 70 years woman also joined in interaction

ॠषि पञ्चमिमा बाजेको सम्झना


आज कृष्ण अस्टमी चितवनमा बिरामी परेर भर्ना भएका बालाई भन्दा पनि बाजुरामा करीब दुई महिना अघी भेटियेका बाजेलाई खुबै सम्झे। तेही नियास्रो मेटाउनलाई यो कोसेली पस्केको छु। मरी मरी फोन लगाउन कोशीस गरे तर पटककै जोडीएन। अर्को मनले चित्त बुझाये, हैन बाजे पूजा लगाउन् बेस्त छन होला यो पनि सम्झे उनले  अबको पाचौ दिनमा ॠषि पञ्चमिको पनि पूजा लगाउchhan।


भबिस्योतार पुरान अनुसार  ॠषि पञ्चमी पूजा बिधी अनुसार उनले भन्ने कथा यस्तै हुन्छ-सत्य युगमा बिदर्भनाम शहरमा जय श्री नामकी ब्रामनीले महिनाबारी भएका बेला छोइछाइ गरेकोले मरे पछी उनी कुकुर्नी उनका श्रीमान सुमित्र गोरु भएर जन्मे धेरै दु: पाये तेसैले   महिनाबारी भएका बेला भएको छुइ छाइ बाट मुक्ती पाउन वा सुध हुन , दतीवनले ३६० पतक दात माझ्नु, ३६० पतक माटोले सम्पूर्ण शरीर धुनु पर्दछ। ब्रहमाले ईन्द्र भगवानलाई ब्रम्हा हत्याको दोश मेटाउनलाई एक बर्ष भोग गरी बाँकी दोस प्रिथी, ब्रिछ, जल स्त्रीमा फ्यकिदिये। तेही कारनले महिलाहरुलाई तीन दिन सम्म छुनै हुन्न। किन् भने पहिलो दिनमा चन्डाली,दोस्रो दिनमा ब्रमघातिनि, तेस्रो दिन्मा धोबिनी चौथ्यो दिन चोखो हुन्छन।

Sunday, August 21, 2016

कान्छी दिदी आमा किन रुनु भएको ?


कान्छी दिदी, कान्छी दिदी आमा किन रुनु भाको ?
भर्खर आठ बर्ष लाग्दै गरेको लक्स्मिकान्त मलिनो अनुहार लगाउदै, आमा संगै टासिएर बसेकी दिदिको दुई खुट्टा छुटाएर, काखैमा लेसिएर बस्छ एकै छिन्मा हातिले निधार कनाये झै टाउको उठाएर फेरी सोध्छ- कान्छी दिदी भन्नुन आमा किन रोको ?
आमा मर्नुहुन्छ हो ?
हो आमा मर्नुहुन्छ तर अहिले होइन

Saturday, August 20, 2016

Peeling up Symbolic Interaction for #Equality


Namaskar/Good morning Hajur ! 

Sanchai Hajur (How are you)? 

Hajur in Nepali is very common word and have different actions according to the context such as yes (if someone call your name or hello in telephone), ok (ok in yes and no question), name (your shop or restaurant), respect (use hajur instead of you) etc. This writer is always wondering what meant by Hajur among non Nepali speakers who are headed of almost UN agencies and INGOs in Nepal for equality and promotion of human rights in a way and the other around. Do they aware about its symbolic meaning in Nepali context specially whom they seek changes. In practical sense, if someone use the word Hajur frequently or followed by each statement, Hajur connotes higher or creates hierarchy rather simply yes, ok, or respect. The villagers, poor or powerless people use the word Hajur while interacting landlords, seniors or powerful people for please or respect or expecting some favours indirectly. Such interactions distinguished easily even by lay people. It has deep and wider meaning. By and large, it is being used in royal or elites since history where scholars, activists, called and used as symbol of feudal culture at micro level.

Thursday, August 18, 2016

Acted as Priest during Janaipurnima

दश कक्षा पड्दै गर्दाको कुरा हो । बा बेसरी बिरामी पर्नु भो, केही कसै नलागे पछी ठुलो भिनाजु उमा कान्त रेग्मी र बा भएर काठमाडौं जानु भयो। तिन्तका खबर खाबर गर्ने केही साधन पनि थिएन र औकात पनि। आमाले सधैं बेलुका बत्ती बाल्नु हुन्थ्यो शायद भगवान सँग प्रथाना गरेको होला भन्ने लाग्छ किन भने हाम्रो घर त्यस्तो धार्मिक थिएन र छैन पनि जुन छिमेकमा थियो र छ । हजुरबा आमा नहुनु, बसाइ सराइ गरेको, एक्लो गरीब परिवार भएर होला त्यस्तो भएको जस्तो लाग्छ।

जनै बान्ने बेला भो, बाटोमा जनै बानेर र बान्न हिंडेका मानिसहरु देखिन थाले तर घरमा कोही आउने छनक थिएन न घरमा पहिले पहिले जस्तो खाने कुराको परीकार नै पाकेको थियो ।

स्कुलमा पडाउने भट्टराई थरका, मेरो खेत घरकै बाटो भएर हिंड्ने जसलाई बाहुन बा भनेर जती पटक भेट्यो उत्तिनै पटक नमस्ते गरिन्थ्यो तिनी आउने छाट् भएन किन भने पानीको बहनामा उनिहरु झगडा गरेका थिए अर्थात झगडा गर्ने समुह तिर मिलेर मुख फोरेका थिए। मैले कल्पना पनि गरेको थिईेन कि तिनै भाई शिक्षक धनी र सामन्तको तेती पक्ष लीन सक्छन । उनी हाम्रो घर काटेर गए। भान्जा दाई हुनु हुन्थ्यो तर पहाडमा । उहा कहिलेई पनि चाड पर्बमा आउन सक्नु हुन्थेन किन भने उहा गोर्खाको केराबारी भन्ने ठाउमा बस्नु हुन्थ्यो ।

मलाई थाहा छैन कती बजेको थियो शायद १२ बजी सकेको हुदो हो। माहिली दिदी बिन्दुको भर्खर मात्र विवाह भएको थियो, उहा नबलपरासिको पर्साउनी भन्ने गाउमा बस्नु हुन्थ्यो । आउन जान सजिलो त थिएन तर पनि चाडओ आउन सकिन्थ्यो तर उहा १२ बजे सम्म अाइ पुग्नु भएन। पर्साउनी बाट चोर्मारा निस्कने, बस चडेर् नारायणगाद् बजार आएर फेरी साइकल्मा गौरीगन्ज तेती सजिलो भने थिएन।

भोक पनि लाग्यो होला र नरमाइलो पनि। आमाको अनुहार पनि मलिनो लाग्यो । म पनि अछुतो रहन त के सक्थे र तै पनि निर्डय गरे। भाई किशोर र बहिनी सम्झनालाई आमाले थाहा नपाउनेगरी बोलएर भने - पन्डित आउन्नन किन भने हामी सित झगडा परेको छ, माहिलो भिनाजु आउने नाऔने ठेगान छैन टाढा छ तेसैले म धागो बानी दिन्छु, कसैलाई नभन्नु । कसैले सोधे भिनाजु आउनु वको थियो भन्नु ।

मैले धागो बानिदिये, आफुलाई पनि बाने अनी आमासँग भने आमा हामीलाई खान दिनुस्। शाहीली दिदी उशा ठुलि दिदी बिनुलाई साथी दिन भोजाड जानु भएको थियो तेसैले मेरो भूमिका महत्व पनि मानिन्थ्यो। आमाले केही नबोली खान दिनु भयो र हाम्रो जनै पुर्णिमा सकियो । यसरी म जिबनमा पन्डित भएर भूमिका निर्बाह गरे।

तेस्बेला देखी माहिलो भिनाजु सधैं सके सम्म बिहानै आउन थालनु भो।  मलाई तेती चासो लाग्दैन, अनुकुल मिले घर पनि अाइ हाल्छु, सबै सित भेट घाट हुन्छ,सबै भन्दा बदी त बा सँग बस्न पाईन्छ भन्ने लाग्छ आमको मृत्‍यु पछी । तर यो चाड सजिलो, सामान्य लाग्ने तर बदी साकारअत्मक लाग्ने चाड हो। आफ्ना ज्वाँई भान्जा भान्जी भेट घाट गरेर छोरी चेलीको सन्चो बिसन्चो जान्न पाइने ।आज भोली त राखी पनि बानिन्छ, बच्चा बच्ची खुशी हुन्छन अनी संसार भर नै छरिएर बस्ने साथी भाईले सम्झेर दिदी भनेर फोन, म्यासेज पठाउदा झन रमाइलो र खुशी लाग्छ .।  

#Menstrualrestriction is still matter of stigma at school children at Kathmandu

Chief guest for award distribution of best students in SLC, felicitation of SLC graduates, Book launch at Niharika Shishu in August 10, 2016, Machhapokhari, Kathmandu.

I had shortly explored the condition of menstrual restrictions among boys and girls from grade 9 and 10 before starting the program. I interviewed 12 students where they all were following various forms of restrictions even they are living in Kathmandu since last 7-6 years. Most of the migrated from Kavre, Sinduli, Jhapa, Chitwan and also from Kathmandu. They belong with poor and middle class family and most of the parents working as helper, driver, shopkeeper in same area of Kathmandu. They are following the menstrual restriction because they believe that menstruation is a matter of female body, polluted as others. However, a girl who belongs with so called higher caste but attempting to enter Kitchen, touching her brothers and father during menstruation where mom and dad were not happy.
They all are using sanitary towels, has toilet and water supply in school but many of them didn't understand about menstruation and shock while they have. Many of them experienced menstrual blood when they were studying at grade 7.They all are continue their education.

Many boys not aware about it though they have gone through this chapter at their class. Thank you Yubak Parajuli MEET brother who created this opportunity.
Warm welcome by school administration

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Madhesh Women Empowerment, Parsa, Nepal

I had deep feeling to engage critically at Terai when I witnessed so many evils regarding empowerment of women and girls specially hurt by child and early marriage, dowry, domestic violence. It was not easy though I continuously attempted many ways such as spent four weeks in Terai during boarder blockade, investigation a case of Child Marriage where I was not happy and struggling to know more about gaps on empowerment. Thus, I had visited to Parsa from August 11-16, 2016 where I had met so many people from different walks of life. It was possible due to incredible support from Sano Paila specially Subir Ghosh  and Superintendent of Police Dr Rajababu Shrestha.

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

#Flood, Support #Saptari

Hope you would go through all photos till end !


Meeting with  Chair, Disaster Management Committee, in blue shirt, he is CDO, Saptari  

Media coverage, forwarded by Manohar Pokhre, Saptari

#Election2026, Tangal, Handigaun, Mahendra Bhawan Sano Gaucharan, ward no 5, Election Observation, #NepalPolitics, #DignifiedMenstruation

Sudha Gurung and myself visisted three centers of ward no 5, Kathmandu Metro Municipality for election observation silently. We visisted elc...