Formative Research on Menstrual Hygiene Management in Nepal

Background

Menstrual hygiene management (MNH) challenges faced by girls in low-income countries are receiving increasing attention as a public health issue. It is difficult for girls to hygienically and confidently take care of themselves during menstruation when they have poor access to adequate WASH facilities or they cannot access appropriate sanitary materials because of financial or supply issues in rural areas. WaterAid, through its project ‘Ensuring girls’ rights through school and community-based WASH and improved menstrual hygiene management in Nepal and Pakistan, is contributing to the government of Nepal’s targets for child-friendly schools and water and sanitation and thereby aims to contribute towards gender equality in schools.

Objective

1. Investigate and understand the scope of challenges faced by girls during menstruation (mainly at school but also in the community or household)
2. Understand the determinants of those challenges, ad identify potential solutions and recommendations.

Methodology

This mixed-method research was conducted in Sindhuli and Udaypur districts, where WaterAid has partnered with NEWAH to improve water and sanitation facilities and provide menstrual hygiene support programs in government schools. For the quantitative aspect, structure interviews were conducted with girls as well as a boy as WaterAid seeks to promote supportive behavior and increased awareness among all students. For the qualitative approach, group interviews with girls, focus group discussions with six to eight menstruating girls to discuss school and community issues in MHM and interviews with teachers and mothers were also conducted in order to triangulate information from girls.