Menstrual hygiene management has been the most pressing issue today because of various taboo it s surrounded with. Rural women in Nepal lack basic hygienic materials during their periods such as sanitary napkins, clean water, dustbins, etc. Therefore, this project aims to provide an integrative MHM awareness classes to different schools of rural Nepal where we will distribute locally produced sanitary napkins "Surakhshya" along with IEC materials.
Menstrual Hygiene management and promotion is a big challenge in Nepalese community because women are still bound with restrictions such as not allowed to touch public places, perform religious acts, hide it from male members and are often deprived of clean water and soaps.Women are at continuous health risk because of unhygienic sanitation practice. In rural areas, women are unaware of SRHR, still use cloth rags during menstruation and are not accessed to sanitary pads enhancing the challenges.
The project will provide integrative Menstrual Hygiene awareness programs to local schools where sanitary pads made by local Nepali women will be distributed. Along with this, MHM kit containing soaps,towels, dustbins will be provided in each school. A "surakshya" club of 5-7 school girls will be formed to look after the MHM facilities in school and conduct regular awareness programs. The program will enhance knowledge on Menstrual and reproductive health, rights, and use of sanitary napkins.
The project will help to bring a long term impact in the lives of rural girls, both biologically and socially. The use of sanitary napkins will help them to remain healthy, free from infections, more confident and positive. Also, the enhanced knowledge on menstruation will enlighten them against the malpractices during menstruation. In the long term, women will be more aware about their reproductive health, enjoy their reproductive rights properly and rise from social domination.
