Painting Away Period Stigma: Art as Advocacy for Menstrual Dignity

In a society where discussions about menstruation often happen in hushed tones, the Leo Club of Kathmandu Himalayas Patan took a colorful approach to breaking the silence. On December 8, 2023, the halls of Tej Binayak Secondary School in Gothatar, Kathmandu, transformed into a vibrant gallery of artistic expression as students wielded paintbrushes to challenge menstrual taboos during a special event commemorating International Dignified Menstruation Day.

The painting competition and exhibition, organized under the powerful slogan "Empower periods, celebrate dignity: Honoring womanhood with government school students," created a safe space for creative dialogue about a natural biological process that affects half the global population yet remains shrouded in shame and misinformation in many Nepali communities.

Art as a Gateway to Difficult Conversations

The choice to address menstrual stigma through art proved particularly effective in the school environment. While direct discussions about menstruation can sometimes feel uncomfortable for adolescents, artistic expression offered students a less intimidating avenue to explore and communicate their thoughts on the subject. Through colors, symbols, and imagery, participants conveyed powerful messages that might have been difficult to articulate verbally.

Student artists, both girls and boys, created works depicting everything from the practical challenges of menstrual management in resource-limited settings to the emotional impact of period-related bullying and exclusion. Others chose to focus on educational themes, creating informative visuals about menstrual biology or celebrating the strength and resilience of women.

"Art speaks where words cannot," explained one of the event organizers. "For many of these students, this might be their first opportunity to openly address menstruation in a public setting. The painting format gives them the freedom to express complex feelings and ideas while still maintaining a level of personal comfort."

Breaking the Cycle of Silence Through Education

The event held particular significance at Tej Binayak Secondary School, a government institution where students may have limited access to comprehensive menstrual health education and resources. In many Nepali communities, particularly in government schools with limited resources, menstruation-related absenteeism remains a significant barrier to girls' education.

By bringing this conversation directly into the school environment and involving all students regardless of gender, the Leo Club initiative challenged the notion that menstruation is exclusively a "women's issue" to be discussed in isolation. The inclusive approach recognized that sustainable change requires educating and involving everyone in creating supportive environments where menstruation doesn't limit educational opportunities or human dignity.

Beyond the competition itself, the program included informational sessions addressing common menstrual myths and highlighting the importance of proper hygiene practices. These educational components ensured that the artistic expressions were grounded in accurate information, making the event both creatively stimulating and educationally valuable.

From School Walls to Community Consciousness

The paintings created during the competition didn't remain confined to the school premises. The exhibition component of the event invited community members, parents, and local leaders to view the artwork, extending the impact beyond the student participants to the broader community.

This public display served multiple purposes: validating the students' creative efforts, amplifying their messages to a wider audience, and demonstrating to the community that these young people are capable of engaging maturely with important health and social topics. For many parents viewing the exhibition, it may have prompted their first open conversations about menstruation with their children.

The Leo Club members also documented the artwork digitally, with plans to share selected pieces on social media platforms, potentially reaching thousands more with these dignity-affirming messages. This digital extension reflects an understanding that challenging deeply-rooted stigmas requires utilizing multiple channels and reaching diverse audiences.

A Step in a Longer Journey

The painting competition and exhibition represent a creative milestone in the ongoing journey toward menstrual dignity in Nepal. While a single event cannot eliminate generations of stigma, it plants important seeds of change in the minds of young people who will shape future attitudes and practices.

By framing menstruation as a matter of dignity rather than shame, the Leo Club initiative aligns with broader global movements toward menstrual equity. The focus on government school students recognizes that menstrual stigma often intersects with socioeconomic disadvantage, making interventions in resource-limited educational settings particularly important.

As the paint dries on these powerful images, the conversations they've started will continue to ripple through classrooms, homes, and communities. Through their brushstrokes, these young artists have contributed to a growing movement that envisions a future where every woman and girl experiences her menstrual journey with dignity, adequate support, and without limitation to her educational or social opportunities.

The Leo Club of Kathmandu Himalayas Patan's creative approach to advocacy demonstrates how youth organizations can effectively address sensitive social issues through engaging, participatory methods that empower young people not just as beneficiaries of change, but as its creators.