Asmita Kathayat, a determined and passionate young leader form grade 9 at Khaptad Secondary School, Kalukheti, Khaptadhachhanna RM, Bajhang, found herself grappling with societal taboos surrounding menstruation from an early age. At the tender age of 12, she experienced her first menstrual cycle, marking the beginning of a journey that would lead her to challenge deeply ingrained beliefs.

Growing up in a conservative community where discussions about menstruation were hushed and hidden, Asmita felt isolated, ashamed and fearful when she had to live outside home for eight days. She was not allowed to look grandparents including male members of family and not allowed to touch anything. She was convinced, if she looked, touch or consumed dairy products god will cursed her family and something disaster will be happened. After taking class from school and from other sources, she realized, its only social taboos which dragging girls and women from their rights.   However, instead of succumbing to the societal norms, she decided to confront the issue head-on. She told her family member she didn’t feel safe and easy to sit outside home and convinced them to sit inside home during menstruation. Recognizing the need for change, Asmita founded the Adolescence Girl Club in her school, formed with the help of Dignity for women project, a safe space for girls to discuss their experiences and challenges related to menstruation.

In adolescent girl club there is discussed about how to change menstrual taboos from community, what they could to best during for menstruation for them. Adolescent girl club encouraged them to share their stories, fostering an environment where girls felt supported rather than stigmatized through open discussion and informative session. As the club grew, so did the girls’ confidence in discussing menstrual Health. Now girls are more confident and knowledgeable to discuss about menstrual taboos in the village. Now Asmita is able to convince her family to allow to consume milk products. As she had changed her family member perception, Adolescent girl club’s girls are becoming the role model to bring positive change in the society and eliminate the chhaupadi practices.