Menstruation is a natural cycle but in the Hindu society, this cycle has more often been taken as a sin, a curse and a taboo. Even in the 21st Century, many rural areas in Nepal still treat menstruating women in inhumane ways and are ostracized. To drag attention towards female plight and suffering caused by such an inhumane and unacceptable practice, WaterAid Nepal put up a visual art exhibition ‘Dropping in on Development’ on September 29 at Hotel Himalaya. Ten artists had put up artwork at the exhibition on the theme that was to reflect menstruation as a natural process.
Sculptor and visual artist Om Khattri mirrored a tradition of chhaupadi — keeping females outside the home during their periods, which is still prevalent in some of the rural parts of western Nepal. In his art titled ‘Khulla Prashna’, a girl was seated inside a wooden structured room with just a jute sack hung as a door. Red thread symbolised her blood and to depict the danger, there was a snake and bugs placed outside. It was a reflection of ignorance, illiteracy, pain and suffering. “I prepared this art to depict a horrible scene and situation on how females are made to suffer in the cold winter, horrible summer and the abuses,” said Khattri. Visual artist Asha Dangol in her work took menstruation as a symbol of purity. Artist Erina Tamrakar wanted spread awareness and arouse positivity in her art titled ‘Chhaupadi Aba Ghar Vitra’(Chhaupadi now inside home).
Therese Mahon, Regional Programme Manager for South Asia, WaterAid said, “Menstrual hygiene is an issue to be talked about to break the silence... it is related to women’s right, gender equality, sanitation and health.” An art by Shushma Shakya ‘Significance of hygiene during menstrual period’ was there to reflect the need of water for anyone to be clean. Ashutosh Tiwari, country representative of WaterAid, reflected on the fact of females suffering in school, home, and society and even in her daily work during her periods.