FREEDOM KIT BAGS
THE PROBLEM
The tradition of Chaupadi in Nepal regards women as impure during their monthly and postnatal period.
Women and girls are banished to the cowshed until sunrise on the fifth day, exposing them to diarrhoea and dehydration, hypothermia, reproductive and urinary tract infections.
77% of girls and women felt humiliated during their periods, and two-thirds reported feeling lonely and scared when staying in cowsheds.
Despite being banned in 2005 by the Nepalese Supreme Court, 3 deaths have been reported since 2018 from this practice.
A SOLUTION: HPN FREEDOM KIT BAG DISTRIBUTION
Since 2017, HPN has partnered with the Freedom Kits Bags to deliver material sanitary towels to Women and adolescents of all ages in Rural Nepal.
The distribution of Freedom Kit Bags in collaboration with HPN involves Public Health teaching around Menstrual Hygiene, Personal Hygiene, Gynaecological health and provides women with a safe space to discuss their concerns around their own sexual and reproductive health.
SUCCESS
HPN have worked with Freedom Kit Bags to distribute 300 packs each year in the following areas: Charikot, Dolokha (2017 sponsored by Exodus Travels) Timbu, Helambu (2018) Chautara, Sindhulpalchok (2019).
WHAT NEXT?
HPN aims to perform an evaluation later this year to formally document the impacts of Freedom Kits on this population.
Please click on the link below to find more information about the NGO we partner with to deliver this intervention:
EVERY £25 YOU DONATE TO HPN BUYS 1 FREEDOM KIT FOR A WOMAN IN NEPAL