Overcome Taboos, Break Free from Menstrual Huts
Nepal Menstrual Education Project
One-off Donation
Menstruation is a natural biological process for women, yet in both developing and developed countries, many still suffer from “period poverty” and “period shame.” Globally, more than 500 million people lack access to facilities that meet menstrual hygiene needs. In Asia, 40% of women cannot change, clean, or dispose of sanitary products safely, hygienically, and with privacy.
In Nepal, menstruation has long been regarded as “unclean.” During their periods, women are often forbidden from touching men, kitchens, temples, water sources, and schools, and may even be denied nutritious foods such as rice, meat, and milk. Many girls are forced to stay in “menstruation huts” (Chhaupadi) — often cow sheds or dilapidated wooden huts — where they face risks of hypothermia, sexual violence, or attacks by wild animals.
Although the government declared menstruation huts illegal in 2005 and formally banned them in 2017, the practice remains widespread in western and remote rural areas.In recent years, local authorities have taken steps to demolish some huts, but deep-rooted cultural taboos make it difficult to eliminate the practice entirely.
The dark hut was once a nightmare for 14‑year‑old Manika from Nepal. Sleeping on the bare ground, she lived in constant fear: “Every night I was afraid I wouldn’t survive until morning. One careless moment and I could be bitten by snakes or insects — or worse, attacked by drunken men.”
Another 14‑year‑old girl, Pratika, from Nepal’s mountain region, learned how to make reusable sanitary pads through a Plan International workshop. Determined to spark change, she began with her own family and friends, hoping to transform the menstrual culture in her community.
Culture cannot be changed overnight, but through education and ripple effects of influence, progress is possible. Plan International hopes the public will continue to support our menstrual health and education programs in Nepal, so that more girls can break free from stigma, step out of the huts, and move toward brighter futures.
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- Donate HK$100: Send a dignity kit* to a Nepali girl to maintain personal hygiene during menstruation
- Donate HK$250: Support 20 Nepali girls in schools to get access to menstrual hygiene management facilities and sanitary pads, and also use improved toilets with soap and water, so that they can handle menstrual waste properly.
- Donate HK$500: Support a pilot programme on dignified menstruation via talks and dialogues between students and the government
- Donate HK$1,300: Help five families get access to clean water and build a water filtration unit at a school to ensure girls’ health at all times
- Donate HK$3,000: Send dignity kits* to 10 Nepali girls to maintain personal hygiene during menstruation and build 3 water filtration units at a school to ensure girls’ health at all times
The first 200 new donors with a one-off donation of HK$250 or above will receive a “Girls Fund” Souvenir Bag .
*Online exclusive; limited quantity, available while supplies last.
*Free shipping within Hong Kong only. For Mainland China, Macau, and Taiwan, delivery will be cash on delivery.
To provide long-term and stable assistance, you can also become a “Girls Fund” or “Sponsor-a-Girl” monthly donor, helping to protect girls in Nepal and other developing countries from the threats of human trafficking, child marriage, period poverty, female genital mutilation, and other forms of exploitation.
Other Donation Methods:
- Bank Transfer*
Please make a direct deposit into HSBC account #640-068318-838. - Crossed Cheque*
Please make a cheque payable to "Plan International Hong Kong Limited" - AlipayHK*
Please scan the below QR code to make a donation on Alipay. - PayMe Donation*
Please scan the QR code below to donate and enter your information (English name, telephone number and email address) and state "MHM2026" in PayMe message box.
- FPS*
Please enter FPS ID "119051597" or scan the below QR code to make a donation with FPS and state "MHM2026" in remarks. Send us a screenshot of the transaction details.
*Please send the original bank receipt/ crossed cheque/ a screenshot of the mobile donation transaction details together with your name, telephone number and email address to Plan International Hong Kong by mail or email. Please mark "MHM2026". (Email: [email protected] Address: 21/F, 9 Chong Yip Street, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong)
ALLOCATION OF DONATIONS
Plan International will allocate donations for designated projects in accordance with the donor’s intent. However, when the designated project is fully funded, additional donations will be used where needed most for more efficient use of resources without prior notice.