Press Release
Sangita Rokaya: Mt. MANASLU EXPEDITION AUTUMN 2023 – SUCCESSFUL SUMMIT to Persuade UN to Adopt December 8th as International Dignified Menstruation Day.
Kathmandu, Nepal — In a historic feat of determination and courage, Sangita Rokaya, a 24-year-old Dignified Menstruation Goodwill Ambassador for the Global South Coalition for Dignified Menstruation (GSCDM), has scaled the heights of Mt. Manaslu 8163 M, one of the world’s 14 highest peaks. This daring expedition aimed to draw global attention to the cause of dignified menstruation and to persuade the United Nations to adopt December 8th as International Dignified Menstruation Day.
Sangita Rokaya’s journey began in her far western part of Nepal, where she faced deeply entrenched menstrual discrimination. Despite societal pressures that tried to confine her within the boundaries of menstrual huts, Sangita pursued her dream of conquering the world’s tallest peaks as a symbol of empowerment for menstruators everywhere. Sangita’s determination reached its pinnacle when she became the FIRST menstruator in her community to ascend the world’s tallest peak, Mount Everest. This remarkable achievement served as a testament to her unwavering commitment to challenging the notion that menstruators are inferior, weaker, or impure.
On September 21, 2023, at 5:00 AM Nepal Time, Sangita Rokaya stood atop Mt. Manaslu, unfurling the flag of the Global South Coalition for Dignified Menstruation. From this breathtaking vantage point, she addressed the world and made a compelling case for the adoption of December 8th as International Dignified Menstruation Day by the United Nations. Sangita’s journey symbolizes the struggle that millions of menstruators face daily, battling discrimination, shame, and violence associated with menstruation.
In her own words, Sangita Rokaya Chhetri states, “Dignified Menstruation demands freedom from any and all forms of violence, shame, taboos, and stigma against menstruation and menstrual discrimination. It demands dignity at the center of all menstrual movements and asks for a multidimensional approach to menstrual equity”.
The Global South Coalition for Dignified Menstruation (GSCDM) stands firmly behind Sangita Rokaya Chhetri’s mission and calls upon the international community to support this cause of global significance.
To support Sangita’s noble cause, please visit [www.dignifiedmenstruation.org] for donation details and more information about the Global South Coalition for Dignified Menstruation.