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January 10, 2018

The New York Times: In Rural Nepal, Menstruation Taboo Claims Another Victim

Photo: Narendra Shrestha/European Pressphoto Agency

Bhadra Sharma and Jeffrey Gettleman of the New York Times have written an article shedding light on the Hindu tradition of segregating menstruating women from the home because they are believed to be unclean. The Nepalese government has made it illegal to force menstruating women to isolate themselves, but to give communities time to adapt to the new laws, there is a grace period until August where no there will be no consequences for those who continue to practice this tradition.

“What this is, is segregation,” said Ms. Paudel, the activist. “And we as a society don’t talk enough about it. We don’t talk about dignity, we don’t talk about women’s rights.”

The entire article can be read by clicking the images below or reading it on the New York Times website.

Real Medicine Foundation (RMF) arrived in Nepal shortly after the April 2015 earthquake. Our work spans all sectors of recovery now that the immediate relief phase has ended. Working within hospitals, orphanages, schools, and villages to help with the long-term recovery and development of Nepal through construction, curriculum design, workforce strengthening, and poverty reduction. Many of our initiatives in Nepal are centered around women and are working to achieve RMF’s goal to decrease maternal mortality and increase women’s access to sexual and reproductive education. RMF has forged strong local partnerships with communities and Nepali organizations in order to co-create sustainable programs.

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