“Smile for Hope” founder Zeina Abdo and president Sonam Sherpa ended 2019 in Nepal working on a very special and important project that will spread and help change the way women, girls, men and boys across Nepal see and address the natural and healthy process of menstruation.
“Smile for Hope” ran our first pilot project, providing a safe space to tackle a very sensitive and taboo subject of menstruation. An ancient practice, Chhaupadi (Nepali: छाउपडी), is a form of menstrual taboo which prohibits Hindu women and girls from participating in normal family activities while menstruating, as they are considered “impure”. Chhaupadi is practiced primarily in the western part of Nepal.
This leads to a cascade of serious issues: dropping out of school, being forbidden from accessing the family kitchen and reunions, infections, shame, and potentially even death. In January 2020, the Nepalese government started to destroy menstruation huts as well as try and educate the public against their use, but much more must be done.
We dared to disrupt the practice that leaves women to suffer alone, by involving young men in our menstruation education programme, a topic often avoided in Nepal. These young male teens have a mum, a sister and one day will have a wife who would greatly benefit from their understanding and awareness of the topic.
Day 1
On our first day in Lapsiphedi, Nepal, 29 women ranging in age from 17 to 60 came to attend the first day of the awareness campaign where we provided a safe space for conversations they never had. What started with cautious faces evolved into relaxed smiles throughout the presentation given by a talented doctor couple. We spoke about the basics and distributed reusable sanitary pads. From stern and unsure faces, to smiles, laughter and ultimately a dance performed by the eldest of the group to joyful cheers by all of us.
Day 2
Another successful turnout at our awareness campaign on menstruation. Most common questions revolved around hygiene, pain management and personal care. 14 women, 16 young female students and 10 young boys attended — to our biggest surprise and joy.
Day 3
Word and interest continued to grow. On our third and final day 43 young teenage girls, 19 teenage boys, and teachers attended. In total, more than 150 women, teenage girls and boys were directly impacted over these three days, with a ripple effect that will touch the lives of thousands in their communities.
Thank you for your belief, support and commitment to our efforts. Without your help we couldn’t conduct projects like this which are so central to our goal of Spreading Hope, One Smile at a Time.
The Smile for Hope team