I got my period when I was 13 and since then I have been staying in a chaupadi hut. I am now 15. I was surprised when I was treated differently during my menstruation as I am not supposed to touch anything and I must sleep inside my room. When I asked my parents why I can’t stay inside the house they told me it is culture since olden times. We spent our whole life in that hut so can you. No options are left for us. I cry so much when I have to sleep alone. At such a young age we have to face such problems which make me feel inferior.

What problems are you facing during menstruation?

We can’t afford pads so we use polyester clothes. These clothes rub our skin creating painful blisters. With such pain we have to attend school. At school we don’t have a bathroom where we can wash our pads so we can use them again. So inside the classroom my mind only thinks about whether I will get blood on my dress rather than focusing on studies. I can’t wait for the day to end. At home we don’t have a light inside the chaupadi hut and we can’t do our homework. Our house is next to the road so I am always scared of strangers. Accham