By Upama Tamla (Rai) | Program Administrator
Amar Secondary School lies in Dolakha district of Nepal. Situated at 36 km from Charikot, the centre of Dolakha, the school welcomes around 190 students from surrounding villages. Although more than half of the students are girls, the topic of menstruation has been a shy subject among them.
"It is not strange to stay absent during menstruation", says Sujata, one girl student from grade 10. "The problem is the lack of comfort in school." The toilet they had till now was quite far from the school, which was difficult during emergency period especially for students from lower classes. The 3 roomed toilet was too small and was used by both boys and girls.
"We did not have proper ventilation and water facility in our previous toilet", shared one of the teachers. "But using it was a compulsion. Even we teachers used to go to the same toilet."
Realizing the health impact of such toilets, ECCA helped the school to build new toilet within the school vicinity. This new toilet has proper water facility and an incinerator to burn used sanitary pads. With the new toilet, both students and teachers are now relieved.
"Separate hand washing place has made it even easier", says another student.
The toilet is spacious and well ventilated. As part of ownership development activity, ECCA initiated Wall Painting Program on the occasion of World Menstrual Hygiene Day, in which the students painted their new toilets with various messages related to hygiene, sanitation and menstruation.
Use of toilets has started, which is expected to bring comfort among students along with increased attendance and positive behavioral changes.
As part of school environment improvement program, ECCA has also been conducting various WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) related programs in the school. With frequent orientation and interaction programs regarding menstruation and menstrual hygiene management, we aim to bring positive attitude regarding menstruation in the school and community.
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