Kathmandu, Dec 8: Prime Minister Sushila Karki has said that menstruation is a very natural and a biological process, and a state of respect, but unfortunately, it has been a tool or a means of silence, stigma, shyness, shame, and discrimination.
Reminding one and all that menstrual discrimination is a part of the gender-based violence, when the world is presently observing the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender- Based Violence, the first female Prime Minister said that somewhere this menstrual discrimination is visible, somewhere it is less visible, or remains invisible.
As she states, no discriminatory practices under any pretext could be tolerated and accepted. The Prime Minister also expressed the government’s commitment to establishing menstruation as a matter of dignity, equality, and a human rights agenda. The laws, policies, and programmes have been implemented accordingly, she added.
Extending her best wishes to all women, girls, those working in the area of dignified menstruation, health professionals, and the stakeholders concerned on the occasion of Dignified Menstruation Day, today, she called for the dignity of all menstruators.
The Ministry of Women, Children, and Senior Citizens has neared the final phase for preparing the Guidelines on Dignified Menstruation, according to the Prime Minister, who also takes charge of the Ministry of Women, Children, and Senior Citizens.
Describing the endorsement of the Resolution Motion on Dignified Menstruation on March 21 by the upper house unanimously as a historic step towards the advancement of dignified menstruation, the Prime Minister said this reflects Nepal’s policy and direction regarding the matter.
“The government will accelerate the legal, policy, structural, and behaviour improvements as per the spirit of the Resolution Motion and the global norms of human rights,” the head of the government declared.
Calling on all civil society organisations and political institutions to own up to the agenda of dignified menstruation, she called for establishing the fact that all menstruators deserve an atmosphere to live with dignity. Menstruation should be made an agenda of dignity, equality, health, and rights, she said. May this Day play a role in ending all the situations to end insults, marginalization, and subjugation to violence just because of being menstruators and of menstruation.
Meanwhile, the three-day International Learning Conference on Dignified Menstruation commenced here today, marking the 7th International Day on Dignified Menstruation that is observed annually on December 8
