EcoHimal Nepal handed over Resting Rooms to local schools in MandanDeupur Municipality, Kavreplanchowk

Adolescence in girls has been recognized as a special period in their life cycle that requires due attention. Poor hygiene during menstruation has been associated with serious ill-health, including reproductive tract and urinary tract infections.

 

Under Post-Earthquake Rural Education Support Program, EcoHimal Nepal, in cooperation with concerned schools, established resting rooms (RRs) as adolescent youth learning centre in Ward no 10, 11 & 12 of MandanDeupur Municpality. There was lack of separate and private space for changing and resting during menstrual pain and girls were compelled to be absent or to leave the schools in-between. The situation was not adolescent friendly; girls preferred to stay at home during their menstruation period. Realizing the situation, EcoHimal Nepal promoted RRs concept in the local schools. Yam Prasad Nepal, Head Teacher of Kalika Basic School says “our girls used to be victim of humiliation and low self esteem but now they are happy after the establishment of resting room, they will have time to study since they will be at school in basic menstrual illness”

 

All 7 RRs have been equipped with feminine hygiene products like reusable and washable sanitary pads, separate bed with pillow, bed sheet and pair of mattress, informative displays around walls and hygiene kit (soap, towel, dustbin, etc). For sustainable operation and management, EcoHimal officially handed over the ownership and liability of RRs to schools.

 

The program of RRs hand over was organized in presence of ward chairpersons, local government representatives, concerned stakeholders, school management committees and parents teacher associations etc.