For the first time in Doti, a teenager's first menstruation has been celebrated as a festival under the organization of Dipayal Siliguri Municipality.
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Dipayal Siliguri Municipality has organized a festival to celebrate the first menstruation of a girl in Doti.
Even today, various superstitions and social discrimination related to menstruation persist in the Far West, especially in Doti district. In some places, practices such as not allowing girls to go to school during their first menstruation, keeping them hidden, and not allowing them to touch plants, cattle, or men are still prevalent.
With the aim of changing this mindset, the first menstruation of Ayushi Sunar of Dipayal Siliguri Municipality-2 was celebrated with respect. Ayushi is a student studying in class 7 at Dilpeshwor Secondary School.
The family has given a message that menstruation should not be a matter of shame and discrimination, but should be accepted as an important stage related to women's natural biological process and reproductive health.
Ayushi's father said that there is still a situation in society where girls are discriminated against in the name of menstruation and that the role of the family is important in ending such a bad practice.
‘I am a man and I have not experienced this problem myself, but it is not acceptable for my daughter to be insecure due to bad customs,’ he said, ‘I want to be her friend, I want to understand her and always give her love, support and good care.’
Family members have said that teenage girls need love, support, nourishment and confidence, not fear, during menstruation.
The family is said to have organized such a program inspired by the family dialogue and transformation class being run by the municipality. Family, neighbors and community members participated in the program.
Sanumaya Gurung, head of the Women and Children’s Branch, said that menstruation is still viewed in society as a symbol of shame, fear and discrimination. She said that especially in the Far West, teenage girls are mentally and socially victimized due to various bad customs, and to change this mindset, the municipality has started a campaign to celebrate the first menstruation as a festival by linking it with respect and a positive message.
‘Menstruation is not an impurity, it is a natural biological process of women,’ she said, ‘Teenagers need love, support, nourishment and confidence, not fear. Such programs help to spread a positive message in society and also help to end discrimination against women.’
According to the municipality, this is the first time that the first menstruation is celebrated publicly in Doti. It is believed that this has given a new message to develop a positive attitude towards menstruation and end discrimination against women.
