Menstruation is a natural process and a monthly occurrence for the billions of girls and women. Still millions of menstruators across the world are denied the right to serve their menstrual period in a dignified way. In 2014, the UN resolution used the word menstruation associated with human rights and expressed concerned menstrual hygiene management including stigma and its reversed impact on gender equality and human rights of girls and women. “Dignified Menstruation is simply the state free from any kinds of abuses, stigma, discriminations, violence associated with menstruation”.
On 4th , October 2020, Nepalese Association of Florida (NAF) with Global South Coalition for Dignified Menstruation (GSCDM) organized a virtual interaction program on “Dignified Menstruation”. Renowned “Dignified Menstruation” activist Radha Paudel, Milli Adhikari and Becca Residorf (Fran Olivers) (From REGLA, Chile) spoke during the program. Ms. Radha Paudel presented the current stigma on menstruation in different parts of the world and how local and international organizations currently working to address different issues related to menstruation. Ms. Paudel also informed the current ongoing program of Nepal government which are national levels on policy making, promulgated different laws, free distribution of menstrual pad and different social campaign. Ms. Milli Adhikari, Director of North America, GSCDM, discussed how North America is currently implementing Dignified Menstruations programs and highlighted how developed and developing countries still have similar stigma on menstruations. Another guest speaker, Becca Residorf from REGLA, gave a perspective on Chile and Germany and touched up sexual and social violence due to menstruations. She also highlighted “period poverty” during COVID19-Pandemic and how it impacted menstruation health and different programs currently Chile government are running during the pandemic. NAF President Ms. Anila Neupane and Vice-President Dr. Pragati Ghimire Aryal jointly moderated the program. Beside the invited speakers, attended distinguish guest, Attorney Ms. Avima Upreti, President, NWGN from New York, Dr. Pranay Rana, Expert on International Conflict Management Program from Nepal and Dr. Bidya Ranjeet from Connecticut also express their views on social stigma on menstruation. Ms. Smarika Nepal from West Palm Beach discussed her recent school project on “Period Poverty”. Program was attended by more than 100 participants from different parts of the world via Zoom and Facebook Live. At the end of the program NAF President Ms. Anila Neupane and General Secretary Dr. Niraj Shrestha highlighted the significance of the program and thanked all the speakers and guests.
If you need more information about this program and NAF activities, please email us at naflorida2016@gmail.com
