Bhumiraj Pithatoli/ RSS

BAJHANG: Jayanti Joshi of Bajhang endured severe mental stress during her menarche four decades ago, when society (mis)believed that a girl should be married off before her first menstruation. During her menstruation, she was isolated for several days. Despite such hardships, she completed her School Leaving Certificate (SLC) examinations and is now a teacher at a government school in the district.

Recalling the discrimination she faced, Joshi added that although the level of menstrual discrimination has thwarted to some extent, it continues in various forms even today.

“In our time, menstruating girls were strictly prohibited from attending school,” she said. Over time, this practice gradually diminished but not on its own. “We launched campaigns against menstrual stigma and exclusion,” Joshi recalled.

Along with other activists, she visited communities across the district to promote positive dialogue, emphasizing that menstruation is a natural biological process. She continues to remain actively engaged in this movement.

However, Joshi expressed disappointment that despite decades of struggle, menstruators continue to face inhumane discrimination, amounting to a violation of human rights. Such practices persist not only in private spaces but also in public spheres, reinforcing systemic inequality.

Laxmi Rawal of Lamatola, Khaptadchhanna Rural Municipality–2, shared similar concerns. “We have countless experiences of being subjected to menstrual discrimination,” she said, adding that despite some improvements, such practices persist across the district.

Shanti Bohara Pujara, a local Nepali Congress leader, shared with the RSS that individuals involved in awareness campaigns against menstrual discrimination often become targets of discrimination themselves.

Menstrual discrimination, deeply rooted in social psychology and mindset, is yet to be dismantled, said Manisha Dhami, Vice Chair of Kedarsyu Rural Municipality. She emphasized that discrimination goes beyond isolation practices and takes many forms.

According to the District Administration Office, around 150 isolation structures used for menstruating individuals have been demolished across the district in recent years. However, reconstruction of such structures continues alongside demolitions, highlighting the need for greater mental readiness and social transformation to eliminate menstrual discrimination.

Sharmila Bista of Talkot Rural Municipality said that although social beliefs surrounding menstruation have begun to change, discriminatory practices still prevail. She stressed that increased mental and social awareness is crucial to dismantle these practices and restore the dignity of menstruators.

Dr Radha Paudel, an expert on dignified menstruation, stated that menstrual discrimination is a global issue, not limited to Nepal. “Its forms and intensity vary across contexts,” she explained. “Discrimination manifests through silence, taboos, shame, stigma, restrictions, abuse, violence, social exclusion, and deprivation of services and resources throughout a menstruator’s lifecycle.”

She further argued that menstrual discrimination is intrinsically linked to unequal power relations and patriarchy in all its forms. Misinterpretations of menstruation as impure or shameful contribute to child marriage, unsafe abortions, and domestic violence.

It may be noted that with the aim of establishing dignified menstruation, the three-day Learning Conference on Dignified Menstruation 2025 was held in Kathmandu from December 8 to 10 under the theme “Dignified Menstruation: Reclaim Inherent Dignity, Equity, and Inalienable Rights.”

Over 140 participants from 21 countries gathered to share insights and lived experiences on various dimensions of menstrual discrimination, according to organiser the Global South Coalition for Dignified Menstruation.