Menstruation in Nepal

This book examines the complexities of menstrual beliefs and practices in Nepal. Taking an interdisciplinary and intersectional approach, it explores and promotes the rights of women, girls, and people who menstruate to a dignified and healthy menstruation. The volume . collates current research in Nepal from local academics, early career researchers, and the Dignity Without Danger research project; . provides a more nuanced understanding of the complex stigmas and taboos that surround menstruation; . highlights the importance of rethinking ideas of religion, gender, menstruation, stigma and taboos, cultural practises, and discrimination; . proposes a counter-narrative that places sociological studies at the heart of the discussion surrounding menstruation; and . calls for more collaborative action research to strengthen the links between academia and activism across disciplines. An authoritative contribution, the book will be of interest to scholars and researchers of gender studies, public health, sociology, human rights, South Asian studies, medical sociology, cultural studies, and social medicine, particularly for those concerned with Nepal.

Sara Parker is a Reader in Development Studies and is Principal Investigator on the British Academy Global Challenge Research Fund Sustainable Development Programme-funded project entitled Dignity Without Danger: Collaboratively Analysing Stigma and Taboos to Develop Innovative Strategies to Address Menstrual Exclusion in Nepal. Kay Standing is Professor in Gender Studies at Liverpool John Moore's University, United Kingdom. She has been involved in research on gender and education in Nepal since 2003 and has published extensively in both academic and media/online publications. Madhusudan Subedi is a Professor of Sociology and teaches medical, public health, and nursing students at Patan Academy of Health Sciences and MA and MPhil students at the Central Department of Sociology, Tribhuvan University, Nepal.

List of Figures x List of Tables xi Author Biographies xii Acknowledgements xxi 1 Introduction 1 Sara Parker, Kay Standing and Madhusudan Subedi 2 An Overview of Menstrual Normativity in Nepal 18 Stefanie Lotter and Neeti Aryal Khanal 3 Sanskrit Texts and Contemporary Menstrual Taboos in South Asia 35 Lidia Wojtczak 4 "It Is Women's Blood. It Is Their Curse" Continuity and Change in the Interpretation and Practice of Menstrual Exclusion across Three Generations in Nepal 45 Mira Mishra 5 The Politics of Breaking the Chhau Goth: The Experiences of Young Dalit Women in Achham 62 Neeti Aryal Khanal 6 Fluidity in Practise: Exploring Menstrual Practices in Baglung 79 Lina Baniya and Sara Parker 7 Society or the Law? "No Matter What Law Comes, This Society Won't Stop Practising Chhaupadi": A Discussion on the Causes and Implications of Menstrual Restrictions in Dailekh District 96 Josephine McAllister, Melanie Channon, Mahesh C. Puri, Fran Amery and Jennifer Thomson 8 From Fear to Shame: Socio-political Influences on Menstruation Practice in the Hill and Mountain Region of West Nepal 115 Rajya Laxmi Gurung and Stefanie Lotter 9 Issues on Menstrual Hygiene Practices, Restrictions, and Perceptions: A Need to Strengthen Menstrual Health Education 130 Evangeline Clarke and Aditi Luitel 10 'Dignity' and 'Freedom' Kits: Insights into Re-usable Menstrual Pads in Nepal 145 Sara Parker and Kay Standing 11 Using Participatory Filmmaking with School Adolescents on Menstrual Hygiene Management in a School in the Chitwan District of Nepal 164 Sudha Ghimire, Gyanu Maharjan, Bhimsen Devkota, Astrid T. Sinnes and Bishal K. Sitaula 12 Menstruators with Disabilities: The Population Left Behind by Menstrual Health Management 179 Sapana Basnet, Rose Khatri and Sarita Lamichhane 13 In Search of Dignified Menstruation in Western Nepal: Evidence from the Field 191 Sanna-Leena Rautanen, Pamela White and Kalpana Dishwa 14 Dignified Menstruation and Educational Initiatives of Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management Partners' Alliance in Nepal 206 Guna Raj Shrestha and Ganga Ram Gautam 15 Dignified Menstruation in Nepal and Beyond 222 Radha Paudel, Manamaya Pangeni Bhattarai and Mili Adhikari 16 Working Vertically and Horizontally: A Comprehensive Theoretical Framework for Addressing the Harmful Effects of Menstrual Traditions in Nepal 236 Sara E. Baumann, Müge Finkel, Pema Lhaki and Jessica G. Burke 17 Conclusion and the Way Forward 253 Madhusudan Subedi, Sara Parker and Kay Standing