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Case I: A fifth grade female student at a private school in Kathmandu is arguing with her parents because they won’t allow her to sit at the dining table with them and their guests.

Case II: A first grade male student at a private school in Kathmandu insists his mother be by his side during his birthday celebration. However, she refuses because she is menstruating.

Case III: A third grade male student at a public school in Kathmandu has to cook for himself and his younger sister at least four days a month when his mother is on her period, as his father comes home late from work.

Case IV: A fifth grade female student at a prestigious school in Kathmandu is pleading with her mother to write a sick leave application to her teacher, falsely claiming she is menstruating, because she wants to skip a school outing.

At first glance, these cases might seem like isolated incidents involving a small group of students in Kathmandu. However, they are just a few examples of the widespread and varied forms of discrimination related to menstruation—discrimination that often goes unnoticed, unchallenged, and unchecked in society. In this ‘educated and developed’ capital city of Nepal, how acceptable is it for such practices to be commonplace?

While some argue that these practices are a result of Sanskritization or the appropriation of Brahmin culture, this is not entirely accurate. The above four cases reveal a broader reality: silence and ignorance about such discriminatory practices have permeated all cultures for centuries.

 Invisible forms of menstrual discrimination are being perpetuated by educated, urban-based individuals who have built protective barriers around themselves against criticism. These individuals divert attention from themselves by highlighting the more visible forms of menstrual discrimination prevalent in certain parts of Western Nepal, attempting to present themselves in a better light.

Despite menstruation being a completely natural and biological process, young girls and boys are forced to endure the impact of discriminatory practices. This reality is both distressing and condemnable.

In fact, it’s proving to be a silent killer. People, unaware or unwilling of change, continue to promote this status quo at home and beyond, institutionalizing patriarchy. Patriarchy along with unequal power relations is further constructed and shaped by menstrual discrimination, notwithstanding whether it is visible or silent.

Kathmandu may not have visible menstrual huts, perhaps due to economic reasons, but they exist metaphorically—in flats, rooms, corners, or on low beds. Almost all forms of menstrual discrimination in Nepal are related to food, touch, mobility, and participation, which are often believed to be rooted in Western Nepal. 

Invisible forms of menstrual discrimination are linked to the stigma and taboo surrounding menstruation, ranging from shyness and restrictions to emotional abuse and deprivation of services and resources. These discriminatory practices are not a result of poverty or lack of education; rather, they stem from silence and ignorance, which fuel rumors, myths, and fear in the name of culture, religion, or societal honor.

Schools not ready to share responsibility

Schools also play a role in perpetuating menstrual discrimination. Despite being academic and social institutions, they often avoid discussing menstruation or challenging related discrimination in classrooms or other settings.

Over the years, we have spoken to numerous schools and colleges in Kathmandu. We have consistently encountered resistance among teachers and school administrators to discuss menstruation. Although formal education began at Durbar High School in 1853, menstruation has never been included in the curriculum.

Even Kathmandu Metropolis, with its self-proclaimed ‘Book-Free Friday’ initiative aimed at shaping a better future for children, has overlooked the discussion on menstruation. The mere distribution of menstrual pads, which are often plastic and chemical-laden, is insufficient to address the numerous forms of invisible menstrual discrimination. This is far from a holistic approach to dismantling deeply entrenched menstrual taboos.

A baseline report from Nov 2023 reveals dozens of cases of menstrual discrimination, including restrictions on touch, food, clothing, mobility, and participation. Surprisingly, the prevalence of these restrictions is higher in Kathmandu than in Sarlahi and Jumla. Kathmandu, like many places, views menstrual blood as dirty, contaminated, and impure, and the menstruating period as a state of weakness. This narrative must be unlearned.

Menstruation has been a part of human existence for over 3 million years, yet we continue to uphold centuries-old perceptions and traditions that are not only derogatory but also violate constitutional and human rights. These practices leave a lifelong impact, reinforcing unequal power dynamics and patriarchy between menstruators and non-menstruators.  

This situation persists because the school curriculum, under the Curriculum Development Center, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of Nepal, fails to provide accurate information about menstruation or to challenge visible and invisible menstrual discrimination.

The curriculum for grades 1-3 primarily focuses on personal hygiene, such as using face masks, trimming nails, bathing regularly, eating nutritious food, washing clothes, combing hair, and brushing teeth. However, it does not address the importance of changing undergarments daily, proper use of urinals, or maintaining the cleanliness and health of external genitalia for all students, regardless of gender.

This is a significant gap in the socialization of the future generation. The aforementioned discriminatory practices related to menstruation are often learned and internalized between the ages of six and nine. This period of childhood is the ideal time to teach the basic facts about menstruation and menstrual blood, which is ‘clean, natural, and pure,’ to foster equal power relations and dismantle patriarchy.

If we succeed in this, even first graders will embrace menstruation as a natural and biological process, as something to be proud of, regardless of their future experiences. Those who will not menstruate will also understand that they were born with menstrual blood, recognize the existence of menstruators, and develop a fundamental understanding of responsibility, equality, and humanity.

The curriculum for grades 4-5 targets students aged 9-11. During this time, students are highly susceptible to absorbing myths, rumors, and discriminatory perceptions about menstruation. Menstruators often remain silent in the face of abuse, while non-menstruators may misuse their privileges. Additionally, some menstruators may experience menarche during this period, often mixed with diverse emotional, physical, and social experiences. Nepali girls, in particular, frequently face oppression, depression, or negativity.

Given this context, the curriculum for grades 4-5 should aim to provide robust knowledge about menstruation and related skills, including how to manage it with dignity. Although the current curriculum briefly covers menstruation and menstrual management, it does not provide enough information to empower students to live with dignity or create an environment that upholds menstrual dignity. This stage should serve as a departure point for fostering equal relationships and dismantling patriarchy concretely.

For students in grades 6-8, the curriculum covers sexual and reproductive health and rights, nutrition, maternal care, menstrual pain, menstrual huts, and menstrual management. During this stage, when children are about 12-14 years old, almost all menstruators will have experienced menarche and periodic menstruation. Many are distracted for five days each month due to the imposition of menstrual discrimination at home and school, and some may experience moderate or severe menstrual symptoms. Therefore, they need knowledge and skills to differentiate and manage general and serious menstrual symptoms, confidence to choose eco-friendly menstrual products, and the ability to share this knowledge with their peers and younger students.

The curriculum for grades 9-10, which caters to students aged 14-16, currently lacks any content about menstruation across all subjects. Yet, it is crucial to provide students with the knowledge and skills to convey factual information about menstruation, including menstrual law. This can be achieved through child and youth clubs. Additionally, students at this age should learn about menopause, as they often serve as primary caregivers for their mothers and teachers during this stage.

On the other hand, NGOs, media, and the private sector are also failing to address the various layers of menstrual discrimination, even though every menstruator struggles with systemic and symptomatic issues. While some NGOs, media, and private sector entities work on distributing menstrual pads and discussing related taxes and infrastructure, these efforts do not help dismantle the prevailing forms of menstrual discrimination.

Even today, students are taught about constitutional rights and the different levels of government, but education on dignified menstruation is entirely absent. If schools and teachers fail to acknowledge and embrace nature and science, future generations will continue to be subjected to gender-based violence and human rights violations. Similarly, their sexual and reproductive rights will be severely compromised.

It is high time for everyone, including educational institutions, to challenge and dismantle all forms of menstrual discrimination, prevent the violation of constitutional and human rights, and contribute to building a just and equitable society where everyone, menstruators and non-menstruators alike, can live with dignity.

As many as 190 people lost their lives in monsoon-induced disasters across the country from June 10 till Monday afternoon, according to the Nepal Police.

The Nepal Police shared that three people died in the Kathmandu Valley, 27 in Koshi Province, eight in Madhes Province and 32 in Gandaki Province.

Likewise, police reported that Lumbini Province recorded 36 fatalities, Karnali Province 13 and Sudurpaschim Province 15.

Issuing a statistic today, the Nepal Police said that 238 people sustained injuries in landslides and floods during this period.  Among them, 11 were injured in the Kathmandu Valley, 38 in Koshi Province, 12 in Madhesh Province, 23 in Bagmati Province, 45 in Gandaki Province, 18 in Lumbini Province, 57 in Karnali Province and 34 in Sudurpaschim Province.

Likewise, 114 people were rescued from disasters from various places since the beginning of this year's monsoon on June 10.

Similarly, a total of 149 were missing due to flood and landslides and search operations are ongoing.

Since June 10, floods and landslides have inundated 384 houses, 112 cowsheds, 51 bridges, four schools and two government office buildings, according to the police.

The number of households displaced by the disaster has reached 4,819 over the past two months.

Misa-Pasa, a women-led business whose name means ‘Girl Friends’ in Newari, is dedicated to promoting self-care, growth, and personal development. The business is founded on the belief that carefully curated products and services can positively impact people’s lives. Misa-Pasa operates through two brands that share a mission to help people lead more fulfilling lives.

The first brand, Pal, focuses on mindfulness and holistic wellness, offering a variety of products and services designed to help people integrate mindful living into their daily routines. The second brand, Laharaa, specializes in women’s formal wear, aiming to boost confidence through thoughtfully designed, high-quality clothing.

Shreya Malla and Shalu Thapa, co-founders of Misa-Pasa, first crossed paths in high school, quickly forming a lasting friendship that carried them through their BBA studies. When Thapa moved to Delhi for further education, she gained valuable experience in product development at a garment manufacturing company.

After the Covid-19 lockdown, when Malla was contemplating ‘what next,’ the idea for Pal began to take shape. In 2022, the two friends shared long and meaningful conversations over coffee, discussing the significance of wellness in life. Laharaa started with its involvement in the Business Accelerator program, WeScale, an initiative under the USAID South Asia Regional Digital Initiative (SARDI) in collaboration with local network partner Safal Partners.

During the program, Laharaa’s products were in the research and development phase, with a strong focus on brand building, developing prototypes, and gathering feedback to refine their designs. By March 2024, Laharaa was revamped and officially launched at a fashion show organized by Hatti Hatti Nepal on the occasion of Women’s Day. Both of them. left their jobs to fully dedicate themselves to Pal and Laharaa.

For Thapa, the inspiration stemmed largely from personal experiences during the lockdown, which led to a focus on wellness, lifestyle changes, and a more structured approach to daily life through planning, diary-keeping, and journaling. At the same time, during the lockdown, Malla was also focusing on developing her skills and mindfulness, recognizing the importance of reflection, meditation, and allowing the mind to explore freely. Through frequent conversations with Thapa about their shared interests and life approaches, everything naturally came together.

Both of them recognized a gap in the market, they couldn’t find a planner that met their specific needs. This realization fueled the creation of Pal Journal. Malla first pitched the idea of Pal.

“We were discussing how much we enjoyed tracking our wellness, activities, and journaling. The conversation between the two of us was so positive and aligned that it just felt right. That’s when we thought, why not create a product? And that’s how Pal, the planner, was born,” said Thapa. “I wanted to do something beyond my regular routine. When I shared this with Thapa, she was immediately on board,” added Malla. The name ‘Pal’ for the planner was inspired by the meaning of the word. A pal is someone who stands by you through life’s ups and downs.

On the other hand, Laharaa was also in its early stages. It was originally called ‘All About Formals.’ After market research and product development, the concept of Laharaa became clearer—it would be a brand that would empower women with functional workwear that met the unique needs of structure, size, and style.

The decision for Malla and Thapa to leave their full-time jobs and venture into starting their own business was far from easy. There were numerous obstacles. People around them often expressed their concerns, questioning their decision on starting a business during the uncertain times of the pandemic when so many others were closing down. Despite all that, they remained determined to pursue their vision.

“People would often ask me when I’d get a ‘real’ job. There was a lot of doubt and skepticism. But here we are now. And we feel like we are on the right track after our recent victory in the Coca-Cola Saksham Accelerator and Mentorship Program 2024. It was a much-needed turning point,” said Malla.

Pal offers two types of journals—a personal journal designed for private writings and time management, and a professional journal, designed specifically to help with work organization and planning. It’s a valuable tool for managing daily, weekly, and monthly tasks as well as structuring work agendas. Inspired by wellness, Pal also provides workshops, focusing on creating a non-judgmental, safe space that fosters a supportive community.

Laharaa, on the other hand, aims to offer comfortable, versatile apparel suitable for professional settings, catering to a wide range of sizes to accommodate diverse body shapes. By embracing the sizes of Nepali women, Laharaa strives to ensure inclusivity for all women. Both brands are committed to growth, self-development, and supporting people on their journey toward personal and professional progress.

There are exciting plans on the horizon, with several upcoming projects in the works. Pal has new workshops coming up and Laharaa is gearing up for the launch of a fresh collection. These initiatives are part of a broader strategy for both brands, as they continue to innovate and expand their reach in the near future.

Positive feedback is a driving force behind the duo’s determination to overcome daily challenges. “It brings us immense joy when customers tell us how Pal has positively influenced their daily lives. At Laharaa, we deeply value our customers’ input, whether it’s about design or fabric choices, and we are constantly working to improve our products based on their feedback,” said Thapa.

The two friends reflect on the most rewarding aspects of their journey. “For a long time, I kept telling myself that I wanted to start something, to be an entrepreneur, to build my own business. It took a lot of time, but finally taking that step and entering this space has been incredibly rewarding,” Thapa shared. Malla added, “Practicing entrepreneurship daily is fulfilling in itself, but I love the feedback we receive from our customers. The thought that Pal might be making a significant difference in someone’s life feels so good.”

The vision for Misa-Pasa is to significantly broaden their reach in the coming years. This means taking their products and workshops to cities across Nepal, ensuring that more people have access to them. They also have ambitious plans to take their products global within the next five years, aiming to make a positive impact on a much larger scale.

Misa-Pasa is open to collaborating with various brands and companies besides encouraging young people to join as interns or team members, offering them the opportunity to grow.

Domestic flights at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) have been affected today owing to adverse weather. The adverse weather and low visibility affected the flights schedule to Pokhara and Bharatpur.

TIA General Manager Jagannath Niraula, however, said that international flights are continuing.  Flights to other domestic airports in the hilly areas have also been disrupted.

Buddha Air's Information Officer Dipendra Kumar Karna also confirmed that they are waiting for the weather to be cleared to operate flights on the Pokhara and Bharatpur routes. 

Currently, there is an influence of a monsoon wind across the country.

According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division, the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the monsoon trough is positioned slightly northward from the average location, triggering the partial to general rainfall across the country.

There remain chances of heavy rainfall at a few places in the Gandaki and Lumbini Provinces and at one or two places in the rest of the provinces today.