Menstrual Education: ‘Having a Pad Disposal Box Near School Toilets Would Make Things Easier’

“Having a pad disposal box near the school toilets would make things easier.” Menstruation has been included in the school curriculum starting from grade four. But have girls received adequate education about menstrual health? Do they get the necessary information at the right time? What changes have taken place due to the need for girls to stay away from school during menstruation? A study conducted by WaterAid in 2009 across Kathmandu and three other districts showed that 53 percent of female students left school during their periods. Most of them cited a lack of privacy and insufficient water for hygiene during menstruation. Even by 2026, the conditions in some community schools we visited are not much different from those times. Sabita Regmi, a nurse at a community school, points out that proper facilities in toilets necessary for girls, such as disposal drains, are still not well established. Female students continue to face challenges related to menstrual health. What steps is the Kathmandu Metropolitan City taking to improve these conditions?