Kathmandu: ‘We will move together, and the future of Nepal is prosperous in the perspective of dignified menstruation,’ said Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Jagadish Kharel, while giving his remarks during the inaugural session of the three-day International Learning Conference on Dignified Menstruation here today. The Minister, who joined the conference as the chief guest, emphasized the importance of addressing menstrual discrimination across all communities and societal levels.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Minister Kharel, drawing from his media background, acknowledged the significant journey of dignified menstruation in Nepal and globally. He noted that menstrual discrimination is a complex issue contributing to unequal power relations and patriarchy, fueling gender-based violence starting from the home. The Minister urged all stakeholders, including the government, to actively participate in eliminating menstrual discrimination and promoting dignified menstruation universally.
Minister Kharel praised Dr. Radha Paudel for her dedicated fight against menstrual discrimination, calling her a true campaigner for transformation. He highlighted that while progress has been made, much work remains as the government has not wholly embraced the agenda. The Minister assured that the government is committed to supporting initiatives for dignified menstruation and highlighted ongoing anti-corruption efforts as part of the government’s focus on good governance.
Ambassador of France to Nepal, Virginie Corteval, expressed support for the dignified menstruation agenda, emphasizing the importance of addressing menstruation-related discrimination to combat inequalities. Secretary at the Ministry of Women, Children, and Senior Citizens, Laxmi Kumari Basnet, called for strong policy measures and open discussions to dispel myths and silence around menstruation.
The three-day event, themed ‘Dignified Menstruation: Reclaim Inherent Dignity, Equity, and Inalienable Rights,’ gathers representatives from countries worldwide, including Benin, Bhutan, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Congo, France, Germany, Guinea, India, Italy, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Spain, Togo, and the United States of America. The conference will conclude with the issuance of the Kathmandu Declaration on Dignified Menstruation.