Sanitary pads for Nepali women
Donation protected
Most women and girls in rural Nepal have no access to sanitary towels and tampons for their menstruation. Many of them will never even have heard of such a concept as a disposable towel, like we use in the West, and if they have then they can't afford them.
And of course, in these remote areas disposable towels would be incredibly bad for the environment as there is no waste system so the used pads would have to be disposed of in the countryside.
Currently most women use a cloth which can lead to infection and other complications, and I can't imagine it is very comfortable either.
I am supporting my friends Sabin Dhakal and Meena Karke, who have been working with Education for Life Nepal to supply reusable sanitary towels to women and girls.
The towels are handmade using natural cotton, generating income for local people in Kathmandu as well.
A kit for one woman costs $15 (around £11) and contains knickers, several day and night time pads, a base pad holder with waterproof backing, small washing line and pegs which all comes in a draw string bag for their discretion.
Meena travels with the deliveries to the remote villages, providing guidance and education about how to use the towels and more about what is happening to the woman's body during this time. And they leave a short book with the community for their continued guidance.
In the west, we take for granted our access to sanitary towels, tampons or moon cups, and women couldn't imagine passing a month without them. But for these women that is their norm.
For every £11 donated we can provide one more woman the comfort and dignity of using a sanitary towel during her period, it could change her life, and certainly her perception and any worries about this time of the month!
The plan is that any money I can raise this year will pay for kits to be distributed in Baseri, Sabin's home village in Dhading that I visited with him recently. I have met a few of the women and girls who live there and I would love to be able to provide these kits for them, it's an amazing community. Here's a video of my recent experience...
UPDATE: in November 2018 we took 200 kits for 200 women to Baseri village in Dhading. The response was incredible and the gratitude from the women was huge. Here's a video of the experience and the reason why I am determined to continue raising money and supporting more women.
I'd be so grateful for any money you can spare for this wonderful cause!
Namaste!
And of course, in these remote areas disposable towels would be incredibly bad for the environment as there is no waste system so the used pads would have to be disposed of in the countryside.
Currently most women use a cloth which can lead to infection and other complications, and I can't imagine it is very comfortable either.
I am supporting my friends Sabin Dhakal and Meena Karke, who have been working with Education for Life Nepal to supply reusable sanitary towels to women and girls.
The towels are handmade using natural cotton, generating income for local people in Kathmandu as well.
A kit for one woman costs $15 (around £11) and contains knickers, several day and night time pads, a base pad holder with waterproof backing, small washing line and pegs which all comes in a draw string bag for their discretion.
Meena travels with the deliveries to the remote villages, providing guidance and education about how to use the towels and more about what is happening to the woman's body during this time. And they leave a short book with the community for their continued guidance.
In the west, we take for granted our access to sanitary towels, tampons or moon cups, and women couldn't imagine passing a month without them. But for these women that is their norm.
For every £11 donated we can provide one more woman the comfort and dignity of using a sanitary towel during her period, it could change her life, and certainly her perception and any worries about this time of the month!
The plan is that any money I can raise this year will pay for kits to be distributed in Baseri, Sabin's home village in Dhading that I visited with him recently. I have met a few of the women and girls who live there and I would love to be able to provide these kits for them, it's an amazing community. Here's a video of my recent experience...
UPDATE: in November 2018 we took 200 kits for 200 women to Baseri village in Dhading. The response was incredible and the gratitude from the women was huge. Here's a video of the experience and the reason why I am determined to continue raising money and supporting more women.
I'd be so grateful for any money you can spare for this wonderful cause!
Namaste!
Organiser
Sophie Maliphant
Organiser
