Senior Project

Menstrual taboo is something rarely mentioned in media. Only twelve percent of young women around the world have access to essential products they need for their periods and about eight in every ten people in India do not have access to menstrual products as well as approximately fifty thousand homeless people in the United States. In many places, women are often targets of sexual violence after they get their first period because they now have the ability to conceive children. I know that in many parts of Nepal there is severe stigma surrounding periods. It is considered sinful for a woman on her period to step into a Mandhir (temple) because they are ‘impure’ and ‘dirty,’ and for that reason, they should not step in the house of God. Period. End of Sentence, a documentary by Rayka Zebtachi, was made to honor a group of women in a conservative Indian village who made a living from making menstrual products.

Being a woman on her period is difficult on its own without the societal pressures surrounding it. I know that even though I was in the women’s restroom, I was scared of other girls hearing me open a pad. I know I have hesitated in asking my parents about why my culture, in many ways, rejects women when they are on their periods. I know it is an uncomfortable topic to talk about. I know that the reproduction cycle and its entirety is an uncomfortable topic to talk about. But I also know that something as natural as sweat, should not be avoided in conversation. 

For my senior project I am researching the psychological impacts of societal taboos on menstruation in rural and urban areas of Nepal and for my end product I want to create a short film documenting the lifestyles of women in the area. I will stay in Biratnagar, Nepal for the first four weeks and the other four weeks will be in a far more distant village in rural Nepal. I am Nepali and I speak the language fluently. But in order to do my research I must be able to cover all of my expenses. I am currently working a minimum wage job and I am attending college for the fall semester of 2020. I have saved up for both my future education as well as this senior project. But your help would mean the absolute world to me. By funding me you will give me the opportunity to impact many women and families in Nepal as well as allowing my research to speak volumes for other high school students. These funds are directly for camera costs, flight costs, food and residential fees. If you are unable to donate at this time, simply sharing my story and sending the link to close family and friends would mean just as much!

If you need more information please read this article as it summarizes exactly what I want my research to impact:

https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/10/health/nepal-menstruation-hut-study-intl-hnk-scli/index.html