Dignity Without Danger Collaboratively analysing stigma and taboos to develop innovative strategies to address menstrual exclusion in Nepal
Aims & objectives
Introduction
Principal Investigator: Dr Sara Parker, Reader in Development Studies, Liverpool John Moores University, UK Co-Investigators: Prof Madhusudan Subedi, Department of Sociology Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal Dr Kay Standing, Reader in Gender Studies Liverpool John Moores University, UK Dr Stefanie Lotter, Senior Teaching Fellow & Dr Lidia Wojtczak, Senior Lecturer in Sanskrit , SOAS University of London, UK
Many women and girls in Nepal lack the basic right to a dignified menstruation. This means that they suffer inhumane and degrading treatment which includes abuse and violence (SDG3,5,6). Exclusionary practices, stigmas and taboos around menstruation, underpinned by traditional beliefs and cultural practices. These beliefs prevent women and girls from fully participating in economic and social life and have a negative impact on school attendance and employment (SDG4,5,10). This project focuses on the intractable Global Challenge of promoting women’s right to sexual and reproductive health and menstrual dignity. This research project is funded by the British Academy through the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) Sustainable Development programme and will run from September 2018 until December 2020. It is a collaborative partnership between Liverpool John Moores University, SOAS University of London and Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu and six Nepali civil society organisations in Nepal.
The research team will explore the origins, diversity and impacts of local, social, religious, and cultural menstrual practices in Nepal, which deny women and girls the right to a healthy and dignified period. A deeper understanding of menstrual practices and their origins is needed to challenge menstrual stigma and taboos. We will therefore ensure that research is conducted across a diverse range of ethnic groups in all seven provinces. In order to support the development of strategies to address the stigma and taboos and to enact change we will work with local partners (SDG17) . Key aims:
Utilise the knowledge gained to challenge and tackle menstrual taboos to develop solutions needed for women and girls to gain their to a dignified period. Support initiatives and policies that will promote women and girls gaining their sexual and reproductive rights and their human right to be free from discrimination (SDG 3,5,10).
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Menstruation in Nepal
Nepal falls within the least developed country category on the official developing country list. According to DFID (2017) Country profile - Nepal is the 16th poorest country in the world and 2nd poorest in Asia in terms of per capita income. Following the earthquakes in 2015 there was a rise in the distribution of ‘Dignity Kits’ to help women and girls manage their periods (see Standing et at 2016, Standing & Parker 2017). There has been an increase in media coverage of the practice of ’Chaupadi’, with a particular focus on the Western part of Nepal, following the high profile deaths of young women who were confined to the cow shed. However, there is no all-encompassing single narrative on menstruation across the 125 caste and ethnic groups in Nepal. Menstrual knowledge and taboos are varied across Nepal and no study has explored the diversity and complexity of these beliefs. This project addressed a gap in knowledge with the aim to ensure that women and girls are free from any discrimination associated with menstruation.
Research to date
Our previous British Academy Small Grant funded research on the impact of the distribution of reusable sanitary pads found that there was a:
Lack of knowledge of reproductive health.
Diverse range of stigmas and taboos being practiced.
Many women are unable to manage their periods with dignity.
Wide range of kits provided by international donors and made and distributed locally.
There is a strong network of NGOs and activists working in Nepal to tackle these challenges.
Education and working with the local community is key to enable change. See here for details www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/blog/tackling-taboo-around-menstruation-nepal
In order to reduce the suffering, discrimination and violence against menstruating women and girls, and to promote partnership for sustainable human development, we have identified a need to work with local actors and communities. Working with existing local partners, we will utilise creative ethnographic methods, supported by training, in range of districts in all provinces in Nepal.
Methods
By exploring and connecting disparate stories, artefacts and narratives, we will deepen understanding to enable local stakeholders to challenge exclusionary practices. This will directly influence current initiatives in Nepal working to support women and girls accessing their rights to reproductive health, dignity and enhance sustainable human development (SDG3.7,17). We will conduct collaborative action research to unravel untold, often secret, forms of knowledge and beliefs surrounding menstruation. In the second year we will use multi media to capture these stories and develop educational and advocacy resources with our partners. Our methods will be recorded, reviewed and published so they can be applied by agencies working in this area. Through this approach we will build the research capacity of academic and non-governmental organisations.
Stakeholders
Given the interdisciplinary nature of this project and the need to work with key actors in Nepal, a number of stakeholders have been included in the project. The need to work closely at the local community level means partners are key to the successful planning, management and running of the research project. Partners will work with the research team to co-design the methods and co-select field sites to ensure that all the provinces of Nepal are covered. Partners will also ensure we maximise our impact by including representatives from relevant NGO organisations and advisors working at both the grassroots and on wide range of intergovernmental panels. We will support dissemination activities in conjunction with the Menstrual Health Management Partnership Alliance (MHPMA). MHMPA is a Nepali network working to tackle menstruation discrimination and has direct connections to policy makers.
Collaborating Partners
Our research partners impact across the SDGs and all focus on gender (SDG5). 1.
Global Action Nepal (GAN)
2.
Aasaman Nepal (ASN)
3.
Radha Paudel Foundation (RPF)
4.
Nepal Fertility Care Centre (NFCC)
5.
Community Development Forum (CODEF)
6.
Young Star Club (YSC)
We also have Dr Lhamo Sherpa (PSI), Dr Ganga Gautam (TU) and Sara Baumann, University of Pittsburg as educational advisors and Mr Guna Raj, Chair of the MHMPA as a key partner advisor. Relevant Government Ministries will also be consulted in the research process to develop a wider sense of ownership and autonomy.
Capacity building
By working with key academics and practitioners in Nepal we will respond to the explicit request from NGO’s in Nepal to provide training in qualitative data collection and analysis. This will build the capacity of researchers and partners in developing and using creative methods and research skills. The project will have a direct impact on stakeholders wishing to evaluate the impact of their work in new and innovative ways. We conduct training in Central, Western and Eastern Nepal. Dissemination activities ensure we share knowledge and skills with existing networks such as MHMPA and support their work throughout Nepal. It is crucial that we collaborate with existing partners through training and dissemination workshops to ensure that the findings are both relevant to the local context and further ensure the outputs (both methodological, practical and policy) are sustained after the duration of the project. Multi-sector and agency partnership is central to the promotion of SDG17.
Contact Dr Sara Parker s.l.parker@ljmu.ac.uk Prof Madhusudan Subedi madhusudansubedi@gmail.com www.ljmu.ac.uk/DignityWithoutDanger @DWDNepal #DignityWithoutDanger #DignifiedMenstruation
Impact
Partners represent different sectors including sanitation, health, gender and education and enable us to develop robust pathways to impact. With their support we will reach both local communities and Government agencies through advocacy and dissemination activities. By capturing research findings in mixed media outputs, such as via audio, visual and film formats we will develop meaningful ways of sharing our findings. We will work with MHMPA and stakeholders to develop a local hub to share good practice. Moreover, we are committed to sharing the findings from Nepal within the wider South Asia region through relevant conferences and forums.
Our previous British Academy research highlighted the need for locally generated material to be developed and made available in multiple formats hence outputs from this project will focus on accessible dissemination beyond academia.
Expected outputs
We will co-design a robust dissemination strategy with key partners/stakeholders in Nepal.
Social media campaign including multi-media/audio visual outputs; short films, podcasts and blogs used to influence social media users (in Nepal and beyond) that can also be used in advocacy resources. and will include context specific and blog posts as well as media articles
Project specific web site, hosted by LJMU www.ljmu.ac.uk/DignityWithoutDanger, to report findings with @DWDNepal twitter feed to provide updates on the project
Educational material for both formal and non-formal settings e.g. lesson/workshop plans and facilitator guides, community radio, online and print resources. These can be used by schools, community, health and local development groups and in teacher, social work and health higher education colleges to improve the quality of interventions in diverse communities. The outputs will be co-created with partners and policy makers to ensure they are fit for purpose.
Policy dialogues and briefings for stakeholders and relevant Nepali government departments including the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens, Ministry of Education Science and Technology, Ministry of Health and Population, Ministry Water Supply. We will also engage with relevant UK All-Party Parliamentary Groups.
Academic outputs will include journal articles and presentations at various international and Nepali conferences co-presented with partners where possible.
