Menstrual Dignity for Women with Disabilities in Nepal

Author: Sarita Lamichhane - Founder of Prayatna Nepal
Published: 4 Jun 2024 - Updated: 29 Oct 2026
Publication Type: Paper, Essay

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content

Synopsis

This paper by Sarita Lamichhane, founder of Prayatna Nepal, examines how menstruation and disability intersect for women and girls in Nepal, drawing on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, CEDAW and the constitutional right to health in Nepal. Key facts include inaccessible toilets in schools, shops and health facilities, the cultural practice of Chhaupadi that isolates menstruating women in huts or sheds, and the near absence of sign language, Braille or tactile awareness materials. Main findings show that these barriers cause girls with disabilities to miss school and exams, push some to drop out, and leave many women dependent on others to buy products. It matters because menstrual health is a human rights issue, and the paper is useful to disability organizations, educators, health workers and donors designing inclusive water, sanitation and hygiene programs.*

At a Glance

1 - Pad packaging lacks Braille expiry dates, risking use of expired products.
2 - Some wheelchair users are forced to crawl on unclean floors to reach toilets.
3 - Deaf women struggle to buy pads because stores lack sign language interpreters.
4 - One student with a physical disability avoids exams during her period because she cannot change pads at school.

Topic Definition

Chhaupadi: Chhaupadi is a traditional practice, found mainly in far-western Nepal, in which women and girls are considered impure during menstruation and after childbirth and are banished from the family home, often to a small hut or animal shed. During this time they may be barred from touching other people, food, water sources and religious items. The practice has been linked to illness, injury, sexual violence and deaths from cold, smoke inhalation and snakebites, and Nepal made forcing someone into it a criminal offense in 2017.

Overview

Menstruation and disability intersect within legal and health frameworks, recognizing the unique challenges faced by women with disabilities. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) emphasizes equitable access to healthcare, including menstrual health services, ensuring that women with disabilities are not left behind. Similarly, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) stresses the importance of addressing gender disparities, urging inclusive policies for women with disabilities in menstrual health management. In Nepal, the Constitution guarantees the right to health for all citizens, including those with disabilities, ensuring their access to menstrual hygiene resources. Moreover, the National Health Strategy prioritizes inclusive healthcare services, aiming to bridge the gap for women with disabilities in menstrual health management, thus promoting their dignity and well-being.

In Nepal, the intersection of menstruation and disability poses unique challenges that are often overlooked. Women with disabilities face significant barriers in managing their menstrual hygiene due to socio-cultural practices like Chhaupadi, lack of accessible facilities, and inadequate awareness materials. They encounter difficulties in accessing or affording products like pads, tampons, or menstrual cups that suit their needs. Moreover, restroom facilities in public spaces or workplaces may not be equipped to accommodate individuals with disabilities, making it challenging to manage menstrual hygiene discreetly and comfortably.

In Nepal, menstruation challenges faced by girls with disabilities are often considered unavoidable. In a society where individuals with disabilities are frequently regarded as incapable, there is a pervasive belief that women with disabilities endure more difficulties when they menstruate. Deaf women, for instance, face significant barriers when purchasing sanitary pads due to the absence of sign language interpreters in medical and grocery stores. The lack of menstruation awareness materials in sign language exacerbates these challenges, depriving them of essential information from their families due to the topic's taboo nature and lack of discussion.

One of the fundamental challenges for menstruating women with disabilities in Nepal is the lack of accessible toilets. Cleanliness and hygiene are critical during menstruation, but inadequate facilities make it difficult to maintain these standards. Largely inaccessible facilities pose severe difficulties for wheelchair users, individuals with spinal cord injuries, and those who use crutches. They often struggle to change sanitary pads as needed and may be forced to crawl on the floor to access unclean facilities. The lack of disability-friendly infrastructure in medical facilities, departmental stores, and grocery stores further hinders wheelchair users, those with tricycles, crutches, and walking sticks or canes from purchasing sanitary pads independently, resulting in a reliance on others for assistance.

In schools, the absence of accessible toilets forces wheelchair users and women with disabilities who use calipers to miss several days of school during their menstrual periods. Surangana Bharati, who has a physical disability, expressed that she avoids taking exams while menstruating because she cannot change her sanitary pad at school. "While changing sanitary napkins, I have to leave the exam in the middle and come to the room. I have no choice besides that," she explained. This issue has led some students with disabilities to drop out of school entirely. For visually impaired women, the lack of proper dustbins and regular water supply in school toilets presents significant challenges in maintaining hygiene and disposing of pads appropriately. Additionally, since the expiration date on sanitary pad packaging is not printed in Braille, there is a risk of using expired products.

Chhaupadi and Its Impact on Women with Disabilities

Chhaupadi, a deeply rooted cultural practice in Nepal, mandates that menstruating women be isolated from their homes and families, often confined to small, unhygienic huts or cow sheds. For women with disabilities, this practice is even more detrimental. The isolation exacerbates their vulnerability, making it difficult to access care and maintain hygiene. The physical and emotional toll of Chhaupadi on women with disabilities is immense, leading to increased health risks and social ostracism. Nepal criminalized forcing women into Chhaupadi in 2017, with penalties of up to three months in jail, a fine or both taking effect in 2018, but the practice continues in parts of the country and enforcement remains weak.

IEC Material and Accessibility Concerns

Limited and inaccessible awareness materials create a significant gap in knowledge development and information dissemination on menstrual hygiene management. This gap leads to unsafe and disorganized practices during menstruation. The absence of tactile materials to educate and sensitize them about menstruation adds another layer of complexity. Without access to Braille or tactile learning tools, these women are often unaware of basic menstrual hygiene practices. This lack of information can lead to misconceptions and improper management of menstruation, causing further health complications.

Ignorance of Inclusion

Mainstream organizations working on menstruation often completely ignore accessibility concerns during menstruation awareness training and advocacy initiatives. These organizations tend to adopt a tokenistic approach to inclusion, primarily to secure funding, rather than genuinely addressing the needs of women with disabilities. Despite the existence of organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) that produce menstruation-related exemplary advocacy and awareness materials in accessible and easy-to-read formats, mainstream organizations fail to utilize and replicate these good practices. Moreover, there is a prevalent judgmental attitude among development workers and UN agency representatives regarding the menstruation needs of women with disabilities. These professionals frequently overlook the unique challenges faced by this group, perpetuating exclusion and failing to promote meaningful inclusion in their programs. This disregard highlights a significant gap in the effective and inclusive delivery of menstruation-related services and education.

Way Forward

Ensuring menstrual dignity for women with disabilities in Nepal requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses the intersecting challenges of disability, gender, and menstruation. By promoting awareness, challenging stigma, and implementing inclusive policies and programs, Nepal can empower women with disabilities to manage menstruation with dignity and achieve greater health and well-being. It is essential for stakeholders at all levels to prioritize the rights and needs of women with disabilities in efforts to promote menstrual health and hygiene across the country.

Conclusion

Addressing the menstrual health needs of women with disabilities in Nepal is not just a matter of public health but a fundamental issue of human rights and dignity. The existing barriers, whether cultural, infrastructural, or informational, demand urgent and comprehensive solutions. By ensuring a more inclusive society that respects and supports the unique challenges faced by these women, Nepal can make significant strides toward gender equality and social justice. It is imperative that the voices of women with disabilities are not only heard but actively involved in shaping policies and practices that affect their lives. Only through such inclusive and participatory approaches can we ensure that no woman is left behind, and menstrual dignity becomes a reality for all.

Frequently Asked Questions

NOTE: Researched FAQs by Disabled World (DW)

Is Chhaupadi illegal in Nepal?

Yes, Nepal criminalized forcing women into Chhaupadi in 2017, with penalties of up to three months in jail, a fine or both, which took effect in 2018. Enforcement remains uneven in rural areas.

What makes a toilet accessible for menstrual hygiene?

An accessible toilet has step-free entry, enough space for a wheelchair, grab bars, a reachable sink with running water, a bin for used products and good lighting. A door that locks easily and a shelf for supplies also help.

Which menstrual products work best for women with limited hand mobility?

Pads with wide adhesive wings, period underwear and products with easy-open packaging can be easier to manage than tampons or cups. The best choice depends on the person, so trying different options with support is useful.

How can menstrual health information be made accessible?

Information can be provided in sign language videos, Braille, large print, tactile models, audio formats and easy-to-read text with pictures. Involving people with disabilities in creating materials helps make them clear and relevant.

What does CEDAW stand for?

CEDAW stands for the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, a United Nations treaty adopted in 1979. Nepal ratified the convention in 1991.

How can schools support girls with disabilities during their periods?

Schools can provide accessible private toilets, emergency pads, flexible exam arrangements and trained staff who understand disability and menstruation. Education for all students helps reduce stigma.

What are organizations of persons with disabilities?

Organizations of persons with disabilities are groups led and governed by disabled people that advocate for their rights and shape services based on lived experience. Partnering with them helps make programs genuinely inclusive.

Can caregivers help with menstrual care while respecting privacy?

Yes, caregivers can offer support by asking the person what help they want, explaining each step and keeping supplies organized and discreet. Respecting choice and dignity is as important as practical help.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: Menstrual health is often treated as a private matter, yet for women and girls with disabilities in Nepal it shapes school attendance, work and safety. Chhaupadi was criminalized in Nepal in 2017, with penalties that took effect in 2018, but the practice persists in parts of the country, and isolation in an unsafe shed carries even higher risks for someone with limited mobility or communication. Practical steps such as accessible school toilets with water and bins, pads labeled in Braille, and awareness materials in sign language and easy-read formats are relatively low cost compared with the education and health losses they prevent. Involving organizations of persons with disabilities in program design, rather than consulting them after the fact, is the clearest route to menstrual dignity.*

* Editorial additions by Ian C. Langtree.