End Period Taboos and Free 11,000 Girls in Nepal

Every day, a group of schoolgirls walks a long, difficult path to reach their school. But the bigger challenge they face is not the journey itself — it is living with menstrual taboos that shape how they are treated at home, in school and in their community.

From the time they began menstruating, the girls were taught strict rules. During their periods, they were considered impure, kept out of kitchens, separated from family spaces and excluded from daily activities. These practices were never explained. Questioning them often led to shame or punishment, turning menstruation into a time of fear and isolation.
School offered little relief. Toilets lacked privacy, water was often unavailable and hygiene facilities were poorly maintained. Sanitary pads were unaffordable for most families, forcing girls to use old cloth. Many worried constantly about stains or being teased, which affected their confidence and concentration. Some missed classes altogether during their periods.
Things began to change when the project team stepped in.

The girls received sanitary pads and participated in sessions on menstrual health and hygiene. For the first time, they learned that menstruation is natural and not something to be ashamed of. Conversations around longheld taboos helped them understand that many restrictions were based on misinformation, not care.

With access to proper supplies and knowledge, the girls felt safer and more confident at school. Attendance improved, anxiety reduced and classrooms became spaces where they could focus on learning. Just as importantly, the girls began talking openly with one another, realising they were not alone.

This shift started with something simple but powerful being given information, dignity and space to ask questions. Menstruation is no longer a reason for these girls to step back. It is one part of their lives, and they are moving forward with confidence and voice.

Thank you for your support.

Nineteen-year-old Kanchhi sits on the veranda of her family home, gently rocking her six-month-old baby boy. Life has shifted quickly for her over the past two years. When she was still in school, Kanchhi fell in love with a boy from a neighbouring village, and the young couple decided to elope. Suddenly, she found herself trying to balance her old dreams of education with the new, heavy responsibilities of married life.

Just a few months after the wedding, Kanchhi realised she was pregnant. The news brought a wave of confusion and fear, as she was forced to understand the complexities of pregnancy care much sooner than she had ever imagined. With the support of her mother, she began attending health check-ups and eventually delivered a healthy baby boy.

Following local tradition, Kanchhi returned to her maternal home for rest and care after the birth. It was during this stay that she encountered our partner’s project, the Garima Project. She attended a community session where the team discussed the biological reality of menstruation and the harmful taboos that many girls in rural Nepal still face.

For the first time, Kanchhi understood that the restrictions she had grown up with—beliefs that often hold women back—had no scientific basis. Listening to the facilitators helped her see menstruation as a natural process rather than something to be ashamed of. The knowledge gave her a new sense of clarity and confidence.

Today, Kanchhi is a different woman from the schoolgirl who married early. She has committed to following healthy hygiene practices and is determined to teach her younger relatives to do the same. She hopes that by sharing what she has learned, she can help create a more supportive and informed environment for the women in her village.

Thank you for your continued support to this project, to ensure no woman feels shame and stigma.