Menstrual Discrimination in Nepal: A Hidden Barrier to Climate and Gender Justice

Nepal is making strides in talking about how climate change and sexual health rights are connected. But there's a big issue that's often overlooked: menstrual discrimination. This unfair treatment is tied to power struggles and old-fashioned gender roles. It's a roadblock for fair climate and health policies. The government has been working on sexual health rights since 2000. But it wasn't until 2017 that they started making specific rules about respectful menstruation. Even now, menstrual discrimination isn't mentioned in climate change policies. These policies talk about gender equality and inclusion. But they don't address the problems caused by menstruation and its lifelong effects. Menstrual discrimination is everywhere in Nepal. It doesn't matter if you're rich or poor, from the mountains or the plains. It's a problem across the country. The current policies on sexual health and climate change don't do enough to tackle this issue. They miss the chance to make real changes for equality and inclusion. This research suggests that we need to take a closer look at menstrual discrimination. We should understand its effects and find ways to fight it. By doing this, we can make sexual health and climate change policies more effective. This will help achieve true gender justice and human rights. The findings from this study can guide policymakers. They can use this information to create better plans and overcome these challenges.