Menstrual Taboos: Impact on Health and Education of Adolescent Girls in Surkhet

Abstract

The qualitative study assessed menstrual taboos, their nature and impact on the physiological, psychological health and educational aspects of the lives of adolescent girls in Chaukune Rural Municipality of Surkhet, Nepal. The phenomenological study used total 24 participants of in-school and out-of-school adolescent girls of 15-19 age groups for the research. Three Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), five In-Depth Interviews (IDIs) and four Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) were conducted for the collection of qualitative data and triangulation purposes. Out of the total interviewees, two Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs) and two school health teachers were selected to generate institutional perspectives. The themes emerged from the study include menstruation associated with spiritual pollution restricting girls at home causing psychological stress leading to inferiority complex and poor self-image. The second theme centered around drying used sanitary pads in dark places like cowshed and under straws due to shame associated with menstruation leading to UTI and RTI where girls remained confined till period ended. The third theme focused on lack of institutional WASH facilities and negative atmosphere in schools shaming menstruating girls making them miss 4-5 days of school period every month. Breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty by investing in adolescent girls, promoting SBCC strategies targeting adolescent girls, men, boys and community leaders can help address the issue. Local governments can promote gender responsive budgeting to install girl-friendly WASH facilities in rural schools.