Achham / Freedom Kit Bags have been distributed to women of Kamalbazar Municipality in Achham district. With financial support from Freedom Kit Bags UK, BAS Nepal distributed Freedom Kit Bags to 100 women on Magh 19, containing essential materials required during menstruation.

The program also included community-based menstrual health education. Speaking at the program, the Chief Guest and Mayor of Kamalbazar Municipality, Mr. Yagya Prasad Dhakal, stated that providing kit bags with essential materials for women is a highly important initiative. He noted that the harmful practice of Chhaupadi has not yet been completely eradicated in Achham and emphasized that providing quality, reusable sanitary pads and related materials is crucial for protecting women’s health. Mayor Dhakal expressed his gratitude to BAS Nepal and Freedom Kit Bags for the support and urged women to make proper use of the kits provided free of cost. Addressing the women who received the kits, he said, “If these kits prove useful, safe, and beneficial for health, the municipality will develop a plan to distribute similar kit bags to all women across the municipality, with budget allocation from the municipal government.” Speaking about the program, BAS Nepal Executive Director Mr. Namaskar Shah stated that the commonly used disposable sanitary pads are negatively affecting women’s physical health and also causing environmental harm. He mentioned that every year municipalities spend millions of rupees distributing free sanitary pads to female students, but such expenses are largely unproductive in the long run.

He urged local governments to consider a one-time investment instead of annual spending, by providing quality, reusable sanitary pads with kit bags that can be used for up to three years, which would bring long-term benefits to women. Women and adolescent girls who received the kit bags expressed happiness at receiving menstrual health education along with the kits. They shared that menstruation is particularly painful for rural women who cannot afford sanitary pads or lack access to them, and expressed hope that the Freedom Kit Bags would help address the difficulties faced during menstruation. During the program, Ms. Ramita Shah, Project Manager of the Menstrual Hygiene and Management Project for women and adolescent girls in Nepal, provided community education. The program was attended by Kamalbazar Municipality Health Section Chief Mr. Chakra Bahadur Bista, Accounts Assistant Mr. Pradeep Bohara, Administrative Assistant Ms. Sumita Kumal, and other representatives. Please make a short heading for news.