EDUCATIONAL EMPOWERMENT

The Unatti Girls’ Health Empowerment Education Program, established in 2018, provides transparent and culturally sensitive health education workshops to young girls and boys in classrooms across Nepal. This program aims to dismantle cultural stigma and myths, particularly around menstrual health management and reproductive health, to prevent discrimination.

Our successful program empowers and educates thousands of young girls, equipping them to engage in open, shame-free discussions about personal health, access appropriate sanitary products, and normalize co-ed peer awareness on these topics.

In contrast to children in the United States, young girls in Nepal lack basic menstruation education. The centuries-old Nepali tradition of chaupadi mandates that girls and women must be separated from their homes and loved ones during menstruation. This practice isolates them, restricting them from religious activities, their kitchens, and even touching water, leading to feelings of shame and loneliness.

The Unatti Foundation is committed to addressing the social and cultural factors that contribute to inequality, oppression, and period stigma. Menstruation in Nepal is surrounded by myths and taboos, leading to shame and discrimination. Addressing the broader structures of inequality and oppression that perpetuate period stigma is essential. These structures limit access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, perpetuating poverty and disenfranchisement. By addressing these systemic issues through culturally sensitive education, we can create a supportive environment where girls are informed about menstrual health and empowered to challenge oppressive systems.

Our program also uplifts volunteer health workers, who are social work student interns from Kadambari Memorial College of Science and Management. Through our partnership, these students earn academic credit teaching GHEEP workshops, building close connections and trust with the community.

Many nonprofits in the region strive to help Nepalese girls overcome stigma and change isolating traditions. The Unatti Foundation is proud to be a pioneer in these efforts. Our health workers visit hundreds of classrooms in the Kathmandu valley and rural villages, encouraging both girls and boys to understand their health and well-being.