Kathmandu, 2nd October – In collaboration with X-Pose Nepal, KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency) has launched a Green School Program in various schools across the Kathmandu Valley.
As part of this program, KOICA, in cooperation with X-Pose Nepal, distributed reusable sanitary pads to students above the age of 12 in seven different schools.
KOICA stated that these easy-to-use pads, which are free of chemicals, easy to use, and washable, can be reused for up to two years. The distribution was done with the health of schoolgirls in mind.
The schools where the pads were distributed include Saraswati Secondary School in Lele, Lalitpur (149 students), Shri Bishankhu Narayan Secondary School in Godamchaur, Lalitpur (170 students), Chaitanya Secondary School in Banepa, Kavrepalanchok (204 students), Buddha Secondary School in Badegau, Lalitpur (240 students), Shramik Shanti Secondary School in Chyasal, Lalitpur (302 students), Nepal APF School in Kirtipur (227 students), and the Bishwo Bhasa Campus (Campus of International Languages ) in Kathmandu (94 students), benefitting a total of 1,386 students with environmentally friendly menstrual pads.
According to X-Pose Nepal Chairman Gyan Maharjan, although imported pads might provide immediate comfort to women, they come with many disadvantages. Since 90% of the materials used in imported pads are plastic-based, long-term use can lead to health issues like uterine cancer.
Maharjan also mentioned that due to the high chemical content in imported pads, they cause problems in the soil, crops, and the environment when burned. He stated that it takes over 500 – 800 years for these pads to decompose in the ground. Chairman Maharjan emphasized the need to promote the use of fabric-based pads produced in Nepal.
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