National
Girls miss schools during menstruation
The Kirtichaur Secondary School based in Manakot of Gaumul Rural Municipality-5 in Bajura has 250 girl students. Many of these girls miss their school at least five days in a month during their period.Rastriya Samachar Samiti
The Kirtichaur Secondary School based in Manakot of Gaumul Rural Municipality-5 in Bajura has 250 girl students. Many of these girls miss their school at least five days in a month during their period.
False beliefs associated with this natural cycle of female nature continue to dominate the society and people’s mindset in Bajura, the district in Province 7. Girls stay away from school at least for first five days during menstruation. Menstruating girls/women fear that it could bring bad omen to their personal lives, families and the society if they get near temples during their period.
Eighth grader Nanda Kumari Joshi says she misses her classes for five days
during her period. Her parents also advise her to stay home when she is going through her monthly cycle.
Her classmate Mandevi Joshi has a similar story to share. “Our school premises has a temple and there are temples on the way to school. We are not allowed to get near those temples when we are having our period.” Lack of separate toilet for girls is another factor that keeps girl students at home during menstruation.
“It is really difficult to manage the situation at such time,” Mandevi said, adding that the school administration has turned a deaf ear to their demand for a girls-friendly toilet.