End Period Taboos and Free 11,000 Girls in Nepal

At Karuna, we believe that every girl deserves to have a safe period. That’s why we work with our partners to provide education, awareness and access to sanitary pads for girls and women in rural Nepal, where menstruation is still considered taboo and a source of discrimination.

One of the girls we have supported is Alina, who lives in Bajura Kada, a remote village in the Himalayas.

Alina had a traumatic experience when she had her first period. She was forced to stay in a small shed outside her house for seven days, which is a common practice of isolating girls during menstruation.

She felt scared, lonely and confused, and had no knowledge how to access menstrual hygiene products. She used cloth rags to manage her bleeding and faced the risk of infection and disease.

Things started to change for Alina and other people experiencing this, thanks to the advocacy of our partners. They provide training on the use and safe disposal of sanitary pads for girls and women in the community and challenge the stigma associated with periods, addressing it with local leaders and organisations. They also encourage girls and women to continue their regular activities, such as going to school and interacting with their friends and family, without any restrictions.

Alina said, “It felt like 5-6 years living in the shed, though it was only 5-6 days. I used to be scared of getting raped or attacked by wild animals. It was very hard to spend those days. But now, many things have changed, and we can live in our own house during menstruation.”

Alina’s story highlights the direct impact this work can have on both the mental and physical well-being of women and girls.

Thank you for your support.

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