Lumbini Province Assembly Members Discuss Menstruation-Related Resolution

Butwal. Province Assembly members have stressed the need to discuss the resolution on dignified menstruation passed by the National Assembly in the Lumbini Province Assembly as well. At an interaction program organized by Radha Paudel Foundation in Butwal on 'Participation from Customs to Parliament: Dignified Menstruation', participants, including Province Assembly members, stated that it is necessary to eliminate superstitions and discrimination related to menstruation. Social activist and writer Dr. Radha Paudel mentioned that although menstruation is described with different names and interpretations in various places, women's rights are being violated because of it. She stated that menstruation is a natural process for women, but they face problems due to religion, culture, family, and societal thinking. She added that social norms and superstitions related to menstruation also affect women's health and personality development. Vishnu Panthi, former Health Minister of Lumbini Province and Province Assembly member, said that although menstruation is a normal natural process, the social problems associated with it are quite serious. He mentioned that in some places, women who are menstruating still have to live separately, are not allowed to worship, and face various restrictions. Mentioning that the National Assembly has already passed the resolution on dignified menstruation, Panthi said that the Lumbini Province Assembly will also pay attention to this. Jamuna Dhakal, Chief Whip of the Nepali Congress Lumbini Province, said that along with enacting laws to solve menstruation-related problems, the level of social awareness needs to be increased. She committed to advancing this issue more effectively in the coming days. Province Assembly members Hema Belbase KC, Shanti Lodh, Bhagwati Adhikari, and others also committed to discussing and taking initiative in the Province Assembly for the construction of necessary laws along with social awareness. They stated that reforms are needed in the tradition of discriminating against menstruation in various forms in the name of religion, culture, or other practices, and that an environment should be created where women do not have to face any kind of difficulty and discrimination due to menstruation.