Resource kits for menstruation Education (R4ME)

The toolkit is a package of supplementary resource materials for teachers and students; developed as per the school curriculum (class 4-12) from a team of stakeholders/ actors who has been involving in the sector for long time. It has also included reference materials produced by different organizations even if it is not directly linked to the curriculum.

The curriculum department believes that toolkits can be assets for students and teachers to better understand menstruation. The piloting phase was important for teachers to prepare excellent teaching materials related to menstruation and pedagogy for use in the classroom. As taboos, stigmas and beliefs are deeply rooted in Nepali society, this effort is not limited to schools only, but also with the teachers who work closely with people in the community, especially the parents. In the first phase, all the existing materials related to menstruation were brought together, the curriculum was analysed to find out the gaps between the available materials and the new materials required for the new curriculum were produced.

The toolkits will be tested in the field in different stages ; pre-piloting in schools in the valley and incorporate feedback before piloting in 30 schools in four districts in different geographical regions Solukhumbu (Himalaya region ), Khadbari ( Middle Hill ) and Kailali and Kapilvastu ( Terai Region)

The pre-piloting and Piloting phase will be focused on receiving teachers and students feedback over the materials and observing teachers delivery inside the classroom with using toolkits.

The piloting step will be very important to use these toolkits to make it more relevant and applicable in all schools of Nepal. The project envisages that with the pilot project will reach all 35,000 schools in Nepal through CHERD in coordination with local governments and isplayed in learning corner in schools and also will be uploaded on websites and made available online for wider audience.

The toolkit is a package of supplementary resource materials for teachers and students it includes:

1. Developed Teachers directives and student learning materials as per the school curriculum (class 4-12) from a team of stakeholders/ actors who has been involving in the sector for long time.
2. Translated version of Ruby’s World (Teachers Directives from WASH United Germany), Compilation of Menstruation Education Resource person’s Radio dialogues
3. Reference materials produced by different organizations even if it is not directly linked to the curriculum. (comics, story books, case studies etc )
4. Pre -piloting The above curriculum based reference materials has been pre-piloted in schools in Lalitpur and Kathmandu after 3 days of teacher training using materials with interactive and joyful teaching learning. A reflection workshop was conducted with all teachers and some student’s representatives to collect feedback which is incorporated into the Resource kits.

Piloting Resource kits for menstruation Education (R4ME)

In Nepal, women and girls do not have the basic right to a dignified menstrual cycle. This means that they are subjected to inhumane and degrading treatment, including abuse and violence. The exclusionary practices, stigma and prohibitions surrounding menstruation, inherent in traditional beliefs and cultural heritage practices, have a negative impact on school attendance and employment, preventing women and girls from fully participating in economic and social life. This has become an emerging problem in Nepal. Due to the lack of informed plans, policies and programs, women and girls are not only deprived of human dignity during menstruation, but also social stigma and taboo on their health and education.Objectives

To look at the issue of menstruation from different perspectives (including health, sanitation, human rights, social aspects, etc.)
Proposing a collaborative approach to “menstrual education” with many MHMPA artists
Offering inclusive and interdisciplinary teaching and learning methods (including books, arts, stories, etc.) about menstruation, allowing to address the individual needs and preferences of teachers and students
To strengthen MHMPA – as a well-known alliance of actors and knowledge centre on menstruation.