In Karnali, menstruation no longer keeps schoolgirls at home

All local units in the province now distribute free pads, but many schools still lack clean toilets, running water, and adequate supply of quality pads.

Pooja Nepali, a grade 12 student at Jeevanjyoti Secondary School in Chaukune in Surkhet district, used to miss school every month during her menstrual cycle. When she first started menstruating in grade 7, the absence of proper facilities at school made it difficult for her to attend classes. Her studies suffered. However, since the school started providing sanitary pads for free four years ago, attending school during menstruation has become much easier.