End
menstrual
exile.
PERIOD.
Donate now and put a stop to menstrual discrimination in Nepal.
“What is Menstrual Exile?”
Menstrual exile is a spectrum of discriminative practices that banish or exclude women from their homes, schools and community life for the duration of their period.
In Nepal, this means girls are routinely robbed of education, inclusion and well-being due to a lack of awareness or products supporting menstrual health.
“What is Chhaupadi?”
Chhaupadi is an extreme form of menstrual exile still practiced in rural Nepal. It might mean restricting women and girls to their rooms or banning them from community spaces; it might mean forcing them to live alone in huts or even cattle sheds for days at a time.
Based on traditional misconceptions about purity, this cruel and humiliating practice severely damages the girl or women’s physical and mental health, leaving them vulnerable to sexual abuse, illness and sometimes, due to the remote and poor conditions of the huts, even death.
“How does Menstrual Exile affect girls’ education in Nepal?”
At schools in the poorest regions of Nepal, support or open discussion of women’s reproductive health is seen as offensive. This stigma means girls routinely lie to their families and teachers about their periods so that they can still attend school, while a lack of education or resources mean they are forced to use inadequate sanitary materials and practices, leading to infection.
Bullying and shame, combined with poorly maintained and sometimes open-topped toilets, mean many girls routinely miss classes or simply drop out.
Thousands of girls are left with the message that a women’s body is intrinsically impure and that they belong in the home, not at school nor as a part of the community.
“How can Menstrual Exile end?”
Menstrual exile can end – but it will take a village to do so.
- Our community-led approach means we collaborate closely with local leaders, religious figures, traditional healers and authorities to challenge entrenched norms around gender and reproductive discrimination.
- We engage and work with boys and men in order to shift attitudes, combat bullying, raise awareness and foster support for women’s reproductive health.
- Prioritising education, we work closely with schools and teachers. Together, we design and implement curriculums that include timetable provisions and education about female and menstrual health.
- We support the building and maintenance of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities in some of the poorest areas, as well as help to ensure private and clean toilet access for girls.
- We also enable thousands of girls to access free hygiene kits, menstrual pads and other essential resources.
With this vital work, we can make sure that thousands of girls stay in school, maintain their confidence and gain community support for their wellbeing.
“What can I do?”
Ending menstrual exile is possible but only with your donation.
For just £15,000, we can reach 20,000 people in 36 villages in Nepal each year.
Make a donation today and together we can end menstrual exile. Period.
Thank You
