Birendranagar, June 24 -- Pooja Nepali, a grade 12 student at Jeevanjyoti Secondary School in Chaukune in Surkhet district, used to miss school every month during her menstrual cycle. When she first started menstruating in grade 7, the absence of proper facilities at school made it difficult for her to attend classes. Her studies suffered. However, since the school started providing sanitary pads for free four years ago, attending school during menstruation has become much easier.

"Now that I get sanitary pads at school, I can attend classes without fear or discomfort, even during my period," said Pooja. "It has helped not just me, but many of my other friends as well. No one has to miss school because of the menstrual period anymore." ...