सोमवार, आश्विन १२ गते २०८३
सोमवार, आश्विन १२ गते २०८३
law Student Every month, millions of Nepali women and girls confront a reality that is both universal and uniquely challenging in their lives: menstruation. Far from being a simple biological process, it remains a pervasive source of shame, discrimination, and immense hardship, particularly within the nation's rural and marginalized communities. Menstrual health in Nepal is no longer just a matter of personal hygiene; it has rightfully emerged as a critical public health concern and a fundamental human rights issue. The obstacles are multifaceted, ranging from the prohibitive cost of essential products and inadequate sanitation to deeply ingrained, harmful traditional practices. The consequences are dire, paid in missed educational opportunities, debilitating infections, psychological distress, and, in tragic extreme cases, even death.
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The Heavy Price of Dignity: Pads Too Pricey, Health Too Costly At the heart of Nepal's menstrual health crisis lies an economic burden. A recent, crucial petition has amplified the call for the removal of the 13% Value Added Tax (VAT) and the 15% customs duty on essential menstrual products such as pads, tampons, and cups. This advocacy is not without basis. Data reveals a stark reality: only 47.6% of women in Nepal utilize hygienic menstrual products, with access being significantly lower in poorer and rural areas. The imposition of high taxes renders these vital items unaffordable for many, forcing countless girls to miss school and women to compromise their health. The petition passionately urges the government to reclassify menstrual products as essential goods, advocating for their free or subsidized distribution in schools and health centers, and championing support for local, affordable production. This aligns with a global movement, where numerous countries have already eliminated such taxes to foster menstrual equity and eradicate period poverty.
The economic reality is harsh. A packet of pads can fetch up to Rs. 180 in some remote rural areas. When a family's daily earnings barely exceed Rs. 300, girls are left with no choice but to resort to unhygienic alternatives like cloth, paper, or even leaves. This grim economic landscape has direct and severe health consequences. Poor menstrual hygiene can lead to a cascade of problems, including infections, reproductive complications, and chronic gynecological issues. Further exacerbating the crisis, a WaterAid Nepal study highlighted that a staggering 83% of girls in rural areas lack access to clean water and private toilets—essential facilities for safe and dignified menstrual management.
Unfulfilled Promises: Schools Struggle Despite Government Schemes In 2019, the Ministry of Education launched a commendable nationwide program to provide free sanitary pads in public schools. However, the implementation has been disappointingly inconsistent. Many schools lack proper storage and disposal systems, and the supply of pads frequently runs out midway through the academic year. The impact on education is palpable: a 14-year-old student from Dang recounted, "Sometimes we get the pads, sometimes we don’t. When we don’t, I stay home during my period. I miss tests and classes." UNICEF reports that a distressing 1 in 3 girls in Nepal misses school during menstruation, a statistic that translates into declining academic performance and alarmingly higher dropout rates over the long term.
Breaking the Chains of Tradition: Stigma Still Strong, Chhaupadi Still Deadly Despite being criminalized in 2017, the barbaric practice of chhaupadi—the isolation of menstruating women in makeshift huts—persists in certain parts of western Nepal. This dangerous tradition has tragically led to deaths from snake bites, exposure to cold, or smoke inhalation while women are confined in these unsafe shelters.
The pervasive taboo surrounding menstruation extends far beyond chhaupadi. In many communities, menstruating women are still forbidden from entering kitchens, visiting temples, or even touching drinking water. As Sita KC, a gender rights advocate, observes, "Even today, many girls are told not to go near men or cows when they’re on their period. It’s degrading and psychologically damaging." This deeply entrenched stigma fosters fear and shame, particularly among young girls experiencing their first menstruation, often compounded by a complete lack of education about the changes their bodies are undergoing.
A Call for Justice: Menstrual Health as a Fundamental Right Experts are unequivocal: the failure to provide adequate menstrual health care constitutes a violation of several constitutional guarantees enshrined in the Constitution of Nepal. Article 35 (Right to Health), Article 18 (Right to Equality), and Article 38 (Right to Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health) are all undermined when menstrual health is neglected. Dr. Ritu Sharma, a public health expert, powerfully articulated, "No girl should have to choose between her health and her dignity. Menstrual hygiene is not a privilege—it is a basic human right."
Towards a Period-Friendly Nepal: Urgent Actions Needed Activists and experts are united in their call for immediate and decisive action to address this silent crisis:
Complete Tax Exemption and Subsidies: Implement a full tax exemption on all menstrual products, including the remaining 13% VAT, and establish robust subsidies for rural distribution to ensure affordability and accessibility for all. While customs duty on imported pads was significantly reduced to 1.5% in 2022, and excise duty on raw materials removed, the continued 13% VAT on both imported and locally manufactured products remains a significant barrier. Local manufacturers also face challenges, as the drastic reduction on imported products can put them at a disadvantage, highlighting the need for a balanced approach that supports both affordability and domestic industry.
Mandatory Menstrual Education: Introduce comprehensive and mandatory menstrual education in all schools, for both girls and boys. This will dismantle myths, normalize menstruation, and foster a supportive environment.
Stronger Enforcement and Accountability: Enhance the enforcement of the chhaupadi ban with greater community-level accountability to eradicate this harmful practice.
Improved WASH Facilities: Invest significantly in improving Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities in all schools and public institutions, ensuring access to clean, private, and gender-segregated toilets with proper disposal systems.
Widespread Awareness Campaigns: Launch sustained and impactful awareness campaigns to normalize menstruation, challenge harmful myths, and promote respectful attitudes towards menstruating individuals across all communities. As Dr. Sharma aptly states, "Menstruation is not a curse or disease. It’s time we treated it with the respect and support it deserves." Until that day truly comes, millions of Nepali women will continue to bleed in silence, enduring a crisis that demands our collective attention and urgent action.
Nepal’s menstrual health crisis is a major public health and human rights issue rooted in economic hardship, lack of education, and deep-seated stigma. High costs, inadequate facilities, and harmful traditions like chhaupadi continue to put millions of women and girls at risk, affecting their health, education, and dignity.
So, Menstruation should never be a source of shame or suffering. To ensure justice and equality, Nepal must act urgently—by removing taxes, improving education and WASH facilities, enforcing laws, and raising awareness. Menstrual health is not a luxury; it is a fundamental right that every Nepali woman deserves.
बुटवल बहुमुखी क्याम्पसमा अध्ययनरत पुर्णिामा न्यौपाने कानुनका विद्यार्थी हुन् ।
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