“I am happy spending time in the forest. Although I write my name with great difficulty and I cannot read, it has not prevented me from living a good life. I have a son and a loving husband. Although he is in India for work, we still talk through messenger. Only when I have data on my phone.

My mother-in-law and I understand each other and we do not squabble over little things. She is happy with her grandson and I am happy that my parents also live nearby in the same community. And I am able to visit them with presents once in a while. In our community women mostly look after the households and the animals and the men make bangles. That is our primary occupation. Women help them with arranging their workspace and making a fire to mold the bangles. And every household comes together in times of need. Everyone knows everyone and secrets are not so common.

There are little fights once in a while but no one keeps it to their heart. We are good friends with our Hindu neighbors too. But I feel bad for the women from the community because of the Chau Pratha. Not until long, they used to live in sheds while they were menstruating and it is not safe for a woman to spend time outside of their homes all alone. When the police came to destroy the sheds, some of them were not happy. Even some of the women retaliated with the police but they destroyed it. I do not see anyone rebuilding sheds anymore. But I ask myself, where are all the menstruating women sleeping after that? Do they all get their rooms? Will they be allowed inside the house? Some might already be spending time in the woods. I do not know.”

BreakingTheSilence with Dignity Without Danger: Menstruation in Nepal