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Press Release on Hybrid Conference on 6th International Dignified Menstruation Day December 8, 2024
Press Release on Hybrid Conference on 6th International Dignified Menstruation Day December 8, 2024
Kathmandu, Nepal (December 8, 2024). Global South Coalition for Dignified Menstruation/Radha Paudel Foundation in collaboration with Amplify Change, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Dignified Menstruation Campaign Nepal, Equipop, FOS Feminista, PSI Europe, The Colombo Plan, SETI FOUNDATION, UNDP (Parliamentary Support Program), WWF Nepal with the media partner Nepal FM Networks successfully completed the “HYBRID CONFERENCE” under the theme of “Upholding Dignified Menstruation: Fundamental to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights” at the Hotel Himalaya, Kupondole, Lalitpur, Nepal.
This year in excess of 130 member organizations from all around the globe marked 6th International Day of Dignified Menstruation with the theme of “Upholding Dignified Menstruation: Fundamental to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights” Correspondingly, government agencies, stakeholders, and academia from all around the globe commemorated IDDM[1] by conducting various program such as interaction, debate/poem competition, art competition, rally program, and so on centering the theme of this year.
More than 170 participants from around the world virtually joined the Hybrid Conference whereas 70 participants joined the Hybrid Conference in-person. Ms. Arati Chataut, Gender Analyst/Director of Nepal Television did the Masters of Ceremony.
The conference was inaugurated with blowing balloon in the air and welcome song on Dignified Menstruation by the school children of Tangaal School, Gahanapokhari.
Founder/CEO of Global South Coalition for Dignified Menstruation/Radha Paudel Foundation delivered the Keynote Speech by welcoming the virtual and in-person participants jointly. Altogether two panel discussions were conducted i.e. a. “Intersection of Menstrual Dignity with SRHR for Claiming Gender Equality and Justice with Policymakers”. The panel was moderated by Pabitra Guragain (Journalist, National News Committee) where the panelist were Hon. Parbat Gurung (Former Minister of Communication, Former Minister of Women, Children and Senior Citizens), Hon. Tulasha Dahal, (Chair, Committee for Legislation Management), Jane Bennett (Global Educator on Menstruation, Australia), Mahjabeen Qazi (UNFPA, Pakistan) and Maryaam Saeed Ali (International Rescue Committee, Sudan). Correspondingly, the 2nd panel discussion was conducted under the theme of “Engagement of Youth in Advocating Dignified Menstruation”; moderated by Aniedi Etim (Nigeria) where the panelists were Surendra Basnet (Vice President of the National Youth Council), Shinta Dewi (Girls Act Leader, Indonesia), Sushanthika Croos (Sri Lanka), Samon Chettri (Unity for Change-LBT, Nepal), and Ekaete Umoh (FACICP, Menstruators with Disability, Nigeria).
The Country Representative of WWF Nepal, Mr. Ghana Shyam Gurung delivered the remarks by intersecting the role of menstruation with Climate Change. Ms. Leah Mukooya, LBT Rights activist from Uganda highlighted her lived experience on menstruation. Simultaneously, Erfaan Hussain Babak (The Awakening), Hannah Haynes (Amplify Change), Divya Raj Joshi (Country Program Manager-AHF Nepal), Dr. Benjamin Reyes (General Secretary-The Colombo Plan), National Women’s Commission, Parliamentarian (Hon. Garima Shah) deliver the remarks highlighting the importance of Dignified Menstruation to achieve the gender equality and access to SRHR services and facilities.
The Media Fellowship Book “;[i6Lsf] /utsf] ufyf efu @-Stories of Blood’s Creation” and the song “ d]/f] zl// d]/f] clwsf/-My Body My Rights” was launched. With this, the winner of the Social Media Challenge and Video Competition, Sneha Jha were announced. In order to express the gratitude towards the support of the campaign on Dignified Menstruation by allocating the space on online platform i.e. Amazon.com for global audience and Thuprai.com for the national audience Thupai.com was appreciated along with the Shree Tangaal Secondary School for their participation in the program.
Two different research grant “Miteri-Alina Neurodevelopmental Disorder research Grant” and “Miteri Sudha-Lal Dignified Menstruation Research Grant” was provided to the Ms. Mayalu Tamang and Ms. Kaushila Kharel from Kathmandu University.
The Hybrid Conference was concluded by closing remarks from Amber Luminario from Philippines with the announcement of joining the followed program in the Boston, USA which was co-organized with Global South Coalition for Dignified Menstruation/North America Chapter, MenEngage Alliance and Harvard University.
The details of program were:
- WHAT: 6th International Dignified Menstruation Day Conference (Hybrid)
- WHEN: Sunday, December 8, 2024 at 08:30 AM-12:30 PM.
- WHERE: Hotel Himalaya, Lalitpur, Nepal
[1] International Day on Dignified Menstruation
