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In Nepal's Disaster Camps, Girls Suffer Fear of 'Staining'
In Nepal's Disaster Camps, Girls Suffer Fear of 'Staining'
Talking about menstruation and feminine hygiene is rare in many parts of Nepal. After the earthquakes, that made it hard for girls struggling with rough camp conditions to speak up and say their foremost need was for sanitary pads.
LALITPUR, Nepal (WOMENSENEWS) -- Ever since the 7.8 magnitude earthquake destroyed her home in Sindhupalchowk, Nepal, in April, Sani Tamang, 16, has been having trouble maintaining proper hygiene.
Tamang and her family have lived for four months at a camp in Bode set up by the Chinese government for those affected by the earthquake, which killed 9,000 people and injured more than 23,000. In the camps, families live under tents and tarps in a field. "The latrines are not so good and we have to go to a nearby river or tap to bathe," Tamang said in a phone interview. "There are no proper water facilities and we have to travel a long distance to get water."
Living in the evacuation camps is hard on everyone, but for girls who have their periods the challenge is extra daunting. Talking about menstruation and feminine hygiene is rare in many parts of Nepal. During the disaster, that made it hard for girls struggling with rough camp conditions to speak up and say their foremost need was for sanitary pads.
Tamang, who spends her days studying in a school in Bode, about eight miles from the capital city of Kathmandu, said it's been a long time since they received sanitary pads in their relief materials. When necessary, she collects money donated by various organizations from campmates and buys sanitary kits so the girls won't be forced to stain their clothes. Once used, the materials are disposed of by digging a hole in the ground. "Once we got a reusable pad which was quite helpful," she said. Tamang looks forward to having proper materials so she can go about her days without the shame of staining.
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http://womensenews.org/story/teen-voices/151003/in-nepals-disaster-camps-girls-suffer-fear-staining
