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Breaking the Silence in Nepalgunj: Menstrual Health Management and Reusable Pad-Making
Conscious Connections Nepal (CCN), with funding from Conscious Connections Foundation, conducted Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) orientation and reusable pad-making training in Wards 4 and 9 of Nepalgunj, Banke, from 24 September to 2 October 2026. In collaboration with Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs), the program reached 117 mothers’ group participants and brought together 24 community stakeholders to encourage open conversations about menstruation, reproductive health, and inclusion.
Challenges:
In many communities, menstruation remains a difficult topic to discuss openly. Deep-rooted beliefs about menstrual impurity, limited access to SRHR education, and restrictions shaped by social and religious practices affect women’s and girls’ choices. Many participants had never attended an SRHR training, and some had limited opportunities to make independent decisions about their health and daily lives.
Our Action:
CCN organized a one-day SRHR orientation covering menstruation, reproductive health, family planning, cancer awareness, menopause, and the experiences of LGBTQI+ people and persons with disabilities. Participants also received hands-on training in making reusable cloth pads from affordable, locally available materials.
To encourage wider community understanding, CCN facilitated a dialogue with 24 religious leaders, health workers, ward representatives, and other local stakeholders. The discussion brought scientific information and religious perspectives into a respectful conversation about menstrual health and hygiene.
The lasting Impact:
The training introduced participants to new information about reproductive health and practical skills they could use at home. Reusable pad-making also offered a potential opportunity to earn a small income in the future. The stakeholder interaction created space for open discussion about menstrual beliefs and practices that are rarely addressed publicly.
Although changing long-held beliefs will take time and continued engagement, the program established an important starting point for working with local communities. Through continued collaboration with FCHVs, community leaders, and health workers, CCN aims to support more informed, inclusive, and respectful conversations about menstrual health.
Nepalgunj, Lumbini Province
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