Written by: Suprabh Acharya - 27014, Grade VIII
Posted on: 22 December, 2022
It is said that dignified menstruation is everyone's responsibility. Menstruation is a natural process of cleaning a woman's body. But in our country Nepal, it is connected to religion and the women are forced to stay separate from other family members.
We should not let menstruation affect women's self respect and their health. Saying this, for the first time in the world in the year 2076 BS, Radha Paudel Foundation decided to do a 16 day campaign against women violence in Nepal. Similarly, in 2077 BS the dignified menstruation day was organized on 23rd, 24th and 25th of Mangsir in Nepal. In which the government of Nepal, Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens and the National Human Rights Commision also participated. Now, violence of women's rights is considered against the law. Only celebrating festivals will not change the evil so we have to do what we can from our side to bring a change in the society.
During menstruation, women suffer from abdominal pain so special attention should be given towards their diet and hygiene. Clean clothes or sanitary pads should be used during menstruation. But in our country, it is considered impure and there is a custom to stay in the Chaugoth. The women of western Nepal have started various campaigns saying that women should be able to go to schools during menstruation, they should be able to eat food as usual, and should be able to go to religious places. We have often seen in the media that women are afraid of snakes, there is lack of oxygen and hygiene problems when they live in ‘chaugoth’.
In the year 2016, the suffocation death of 21 year old Parvati Budha Rawat of Achham district while living in Chaugoth shows that menstruation is not dignified in many places of Nepal. Section 168 of the Civil Crimes Act states that “during menstruation or childbirth women should not be confined or subjected to other discrimination, untouchability or inhumane treatment.” It has been 4 years since the start of the dignified menstruation campaign but still ‘chaugoth’ in the western districts have not been demolished. The settlements that were demolished are also being remade by the villagers which shows that awareness hasn’t reached in rural areas of our country.
We should eliminate violence against women and give responsibility to dignified menstruation. December 8 is celebrated as the Dignified Menstruation Day but if we make it worthy everyday rather than celebrating only one day it will help in building a good society.
