UNBOUND Event Calls for an End to Menstrual Stigma in Nepal

Kathmandu-Conscious Connections Nepal (CCN), in partnership with AHF Nepal, marked World Menstrual Health Day on Thursday by organizing UNBOUND, a public event aimed at promoting menstrual health, bodily autonomy, and dignity for menstruating individuals.Held at Nepal Point in Durbar Marg, the event brought together artists, health professionals, advocates, youth, and community members to raise awareness about menstrual health and challenge long-standing social stigmas surrounding menstruation.

Organizers said the event sought to create an open platform for discussion and expression while reinforcing the message that menstrual health is a fundamental human right. The program featured a range of activities, including a panel discussion titled Red Table Talk, spoken-word performances, a documentary screening, a skateboarding showcase, and a photography exhibition.The panel discussion highlighted the experiences of menstruators, health workers, LGBTQI+ individuals, and persons with disabilities, focusing on the barriers many continue to face in accessing menstrual health information and services.One of the major attractions of the event was a photography exhibition by documentary photographer Bunu Dhungana, which showcased the realities of menstruation in different parts of Nepal, from urban Kathmandu to remote districts such as Mustang. The exhibition reflected the challenges and experiences of women and girls across diverse social and geographical settings.Participants also took part in a cloth pad-making workshop that promoted sustainable and affordable menstrual hygiene solutions.Speaking at the event, nurse Anupa Regmi stressed the need to normalize conversations about menstruation.

“Menstruation is not a secret. It is not a burden. It is life, and it deserves to be celebrated without shame, spoken about openly, and managed with dignity,” she said.The event also highlighted ongoing advocacy efforts to remove Value Added Tax (VAT) on sanitary pads in Nepal. CCN, in collaboration with Speak Up Nepal, has been campaigning for policy reforms to make menstrual products more affordable and accessible.According to organizers, UNBOUND reflects the broader work being carried out by CCN across Nepal to improve menstrual health awareness and access. The organization conducts educational programs, distributes menstrual hygiene products, trains community health volunteers, and advocates for sexual and reproductive health rights in both urban and remote communities.AHF Nepal, which co-organized the event, reiterated its commitment to supporting public health initiatives, particularly in the areas of sexual and reproductive health, HIV prevention, and community health access.

Organizers said the event served as both a celebration of progress and a call for continued action to ensure that menstruation is addressed without stigma and that everyone can manage their menstrual health with dignity and confidence.