UDAAN 2 - Session 5

October 2, 2021

UDAAN is a virtual program created especially for youths of different mindsets and backgrounds. We aim to create a safe space for youths where they come together to share their emotions, feelings, experiences and stories. This space helps them to grow as individuals by creating a platform to be themselves, talk about their issues and find solutions to their problems.

UDAAN is facilitated by Lokopakar. Lokopakar is an organization dedicated to youth development. We currently have 4 programs: Strength TogetHER, UDAAN, Margadarshan and Mental Health Series.

The fifth session of UDAAN chapter-2 was held on October 2 2021 in the topic "left out due to periods" via zoom "meet from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm in presence of about 25 participants.

We had two moderators for the session.

Shristi kafle who is a journalist by profession having worked for the international media since last few years.

Priyanka Budhathoki, development communications professional for 11 years. A very young and energetic woman in the social field.

They both are the founder of Nepali Podcast 'Periods Ka Kura', busting menstrual taboos and stigma in Nepal. They have been encouraging young women to speak against period discrimination.

Our first speaker shared a very painful story of her not being able to touch the dead body of her own father due to her periods. It was so painful to listen to her story. She wanted to raise voice against this kind of bad rituals and untouchability but her voice was suppressed by her elders. She at the end said that she always wanted to share this story and raise voice against it. 

Our second speaker shared a story about her missing a temple visit due to her periods. She was really excited to go to the visit and was all set to go but unfortunately her parents didn't allow her to join them due to her periods. She shared that she was really upset with this type of taboos and rituals that are misleading and demotivating women.

Our third speaker shared a story about how he missed his Bhai Tika due to the periods of his sister. He said that even being educated and knowing that these are false practices, he couldn't fight back for her sister with his parents. He regrets that he couldn't do anything that day and promises that this will never happen again. No sisters should be stopped from putting Bhai Tika and it's their brothers duty to protect her and it's our generation's duty to change these taboos.

Our fourth speaker shared a story of her being ashamed in the class during her first period. She shared that it was very scary at that time. But her female teacher accompanied her and said it was all normal. She said that she even to this day can remember everything that happened during her first period.

After hearing all of us our moderators simultaneously gave their introduction and about their podcast. They even explained other more stories and incidents that take place in Nepal on a daily basis. She says that these are very unfortunate chains of laws that our past gave us. So we should cut it out and try to respect women for their bleeding. It's a natural process and rather a boon because it ensures a new life to the world. They added so many women, children and dreams have suffered due to this misbelief of menstruation being impure. They said even in these modern days, so many girls in the west are forced to go to Chhau Goth. It hampers not only her rights but also her health. people's view on it must be changed. They said that together we can bring change and we should all work to bring one.

Written By - Aashish Baraily (Chapter Coordinator)