Period Kaa Kura- Nepali Podcast

In this episode of Period Kaa Kura , we revisit one of Nepal's longest-running menstrual justice debates: the fight to remove taxes on sanitary pads. The conversation was reignited recently when Member of Parliament Purushottam Yadav called on the government to remove taxes on sanitary pads, arguing that menstruation is a natural biological process and that products essential to managing it sh...

In this episode, our co-host Priyanka sits down with theatre practitioner from Germany Malin Freytag, along with Nepali artist director Saraswoti Chaudhary and actor Smriti Rai Culmur, to talk about what it really means to bleed… and to say it out loud. From the Mandala Theatre stage, this conversation moves into real stories of pain, silence, and stigma, showing how menstruation is lived, hidden,...

In this episode of Period Kaa Kura , we unpack how menstruation is shaped by power, policy, stigma, and control, not just biology. In Nepal and beyond, periods are still treated as a private “women’s issue,” while the bigger questions of dignity, access, rights, and justice are pushed aside. This episode grows from the “Periods Are Political” discussion held during the Mero Mahinawari Hariyo II ev...

In this powerful episode of Period Kaa Kura , we strip away the political slogans to look at the hard truth of the 2026 General Election. While the Constitution of Nepal envisions a 33% female representation in the halls of power, the reality on the candidates numbers tells a different story of exclusion and systemic bias. We dive into the numbers that define this election: The FPTP Gap: Out of 3,...

If You Don’t Bleed, You Need This Episode This one is for men and for anyone who has never menstruated but lives alongside someone who does. In this episode of Period Kaa Kura , we go back to the basics. What actually happens during a menstrual cycle? What are the follicular phase, ovulation, and luteal phase? And why does it matter to understand them beyond biology? We talk about periods in the w...

This past week has been overwhelming for so many of us with anger, fear, sadness, and then moments of hope, all arriving at once. In this episode of Period Kaa Kura , we step away from our usual focus on menstrual health to have a necessary conversation about emotions. Joining us is Dr. Bhawana Shrestha from My Emotions Matter , who helps us unpack what it means to name our feelings, to understand...

Did you know Health, Population and Environment (HPE), the subject that once covered periods, puberty and basic sexual and reproductive health is now optional in Nepali secondary schools? That change matters. A lot. In this episode of Period Kaa Kura, we sit down with Nirajan Khadka , SRHR Technical Advisor at Plan Nepal , to ask the hard questions: What role should civil society play when the cur...

Ever wondered what hides in the bucket and mug of a rural Nepali toilet and how it might be silently undermining women’s health and dignity? In this episode of  Period Kaa Kura , we sit down with Sabita Adhikari, PhD, The University of Sydney, whose research on Microbial Risk in Rural Sanitation uncovers exactly that. She spent years studying E. coli and other harmful bacteria in everyday sanitati...

No more tax on pads. Finally. After four long years of legal struggle, Nepal’s Supreme Court has ordered the government to remove taxes on sanitary pads. A huge step for menstrual justice in Nepal! In 2021, Shreena Nepal and Abhyuday Bhetwal , students at Kathmandu School of Law, filed a writ petition demanding that sanitary pads be classified as essential goods—not luxury items . What does this m...

Did you know that Health, Population, and Environment (HPE) is no longer a compulsory subject in secondary grades in Nepal? This subject used to include important topics like menstruation, puberty, sexual and reproductive health. But now it’s been made optional. That change could have a big impact on how much young people learn about their own bodies. In this episode, we talk to two people who und...

In this episode of Period Kaa Kura , we sit down with activist and author Dr Radha Paudel to unpack Nepal’s recent National Assembly resolution on ending menstrual discrimination . This is more than just a policy win. It is a milestone in a long fight for justice, equality, and respect for all menstruators. We talked about the politics, the power dynamics, the language we use (and misuse), and why...

Severe period pain is NOT normal!👉 Do your periods feel like unbearable pain, making it hard to even get out of bed?👉 Have you visited doctors only to be told, “It’s just normal period cramps”?👉 Have you been silently suffering, not knowing that 1 in 10 people have endometriosis? Endometriosis is more than just "bad period pain".It’s a chronic condition that can lead to infertility, s...

Episode 81- Period in the Dark (Re-release) Periods are tough for everyone, but imagine facing the additional challenges of navigating them without being able to see. In this episode of Period Kaa Kura , we dive into the unspoken struggles of blind individuals managing their menstrual cycles. The journey is fraught with challenges, ranging from the lack of accessible resources to cultural taboos....

In this episode, we take you to the event Mero Mahinawari Hariyo that we hosted on January 03, 2025, in Kathmandu. This unsponsored pilot event was brought to life by Eco Saathi Nepal, Period Kaa Kura, and Untold Period Stories. This event was to ignite a fresh conversation on sustainable menstrual hygiene. We created a welcoming space where people could come together to share real stories, learn...

In this inspiring episode of Period Kaa Kura , we sit down with a mother who has been caring for her 17-year-old daughter with cerebral palsy since birth. She shares her journey of managing her daughter’s menstrual health with love and dedication, breaking the silence around caregiving and menstruation for individuals with disabilities.  Listen to this emotional journey of Shova Bist, a carer to h...

Periods are tough for everyone, but imagine facing the additional challenges of navigating them without being able to see. In this episode of Period Kaa Kura , we dive into the unspoken struggles of blind individuals managing their menstrual cycles. From the lack of accessible resources to cultural taboos, the journey is anything but easy. Joining us today is Sarita Lamichhane, founder of Prayatna...

In this episode, we have a candid conversation with Manushi Yami Bhattarai, a politician and educator, about the politics of periods. Manushi takes us on a trip down memory lane, sharing how her mother, Hishila Yami, sent her letters as part of her early education on menstruation.  Manushi shares her ongoing efforts to make menstrual health a priority in the political arena. She highlights why we...

A while ago, we put out a call on social media, inviting menstruators to join us on our podcast and share their real, unfiltered experiences with PMS. The response was amazing, and in this episode, we bring you those heartfelt confessions. PMS is often brushed off as just cravings, mood swings, and cramps, but it can be so much more. It can lead to severe depression and anxiety, affecting every as...

Despite being a natural phase in a woman's life, menopause remains a taboo topic, particularly in Nepal. In this episode, we sit down with the Australian Ambassador to Nepal, Felicity Volk, as she courageously shares her personal journey through menopause. HE Volk compares the experiences between Nepal and Australia, emphasising the need for open conversations and understanding. Listen to this...

On this International #MenstrualHygieneDay , we bring you a special episode highlighting the critical issues of menstrual hygiene in Nepal. In the remote regions of Karnali and Far-West Nepal, many women and girls struggle to access basic menstrual products and sanitation. Join us as we talk with Sushila Kumari Thapa Magar, the Gender and Social Inclusion Director at USAID Karnali Water Activity....

May is International Menstrual Hygiene Month, and in this special episode, we take you to Matela Village in Kalikot, Nepal. Women who previously had no access to menstrual products are now making their own pads from available cloth at home. These women, who used to be confined to their houses or forced to live in sheds (Chaugoth) during their periods, can now speak freely about menstruation. This...

In this episode of Period Kaa Kura, Miss Nepal World 2023, Srichchha Pradhan shares her experiences with period stigma, menstrual products, and the importance of sustainable menstruation practices. She also shares some tips on making your period smooth and easy, as she says, "Taking care of your health is taking care of nature.

When it comes to period, there are many misconceptions and misinformations in Nepal. Right from the first menstrual cycle to the end, called menopause, the topic always goes through shyness, fear, and shame. In this episode, let's hear why we should initiate open discussions on this topic, not just for the good health of menstruators but also for their overall well-being.

Lumbini Province made headlines recently by introducing menstrual leave policy. But what does this mean for Nepal? In this episode, we unpack the buzz around this decision and dive into what it signifies in the context of our country. Plus, our co-host, Shristi, takes us behind the scenes of the 5th International Dignified Menstruation Celebration. Listen to what dignified menstruation activists a...

Did you know that a lot of people who have periods—up to 7 in 10—might have something called Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)? But most don't even know it! It's not just about irregular periods; it can also lead to infertility and cause other health issues, making life a bit tough. Let's hear from gynaecologist Dr. Smeena Pradhananga as she shares her expertise on PCOS—what causes it,...