| dc.description.abstract | This dissertation is an attempt to explore how the WASH services in Bitizor, a rural village located in the
Sindhuli district of Nepal, were impacted by the devastating earthquake of 2015. The study also tries to see
the adverse effect faced by girls due to the lack of WASH services in schools in the aftermath of the
earthquake. Further, it also seeks to explore how the cultural taboos and stigmas associated with
menstruation jeopardize the lives of girls and women residing in rural areas.
I have reviewed the previous literature on impacts of the earthquake on WASH, challenges faced by girls
and women- menstrual taboos and practices, menstrual absorbents, Menstrual Hygiene Management
(MHM) that act as a contributor to school-girls absenteeism in rural areas of low-income countries.
As a qualitative research, the data was gathered mainly via interviews in the mid-eastern part of the central
Nepal- Sindhuli District (Two villages of Bitizor). I have done 15 semi-structured interviews, out of which 6
were school-going girls, 3 medical personals, 2 local politicians, and 4 villagers.
The finding of the research shows how a lack of WASH services impacts girls and women after the
earthquake. The evidence suggests that girls and women experienced additional difficulties due to socioculturally
constructed myths and taboos during their menstruation. They had to go through stigmatization,
shame, embarrassment as menstruation is considered as “the topic of silence.” However, social
perceptions have changed to some extent in the present situation- during the time I had an interview. | en |
