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#Nepal's Menstrual Movement - The Choice is Yours

In this part of the film documentary on #Nepal's Menstrual Movement, actress and MHM Goodwill Ambassador Keki Adhikari has been trying to find out how Nepal can continue the positive development towards dignified menstruation to become sustainable. She visits members of Nepal's Menstrual Health and Hygiene Partners' Alliance - MHMPA (http://mhmpa.org) around the Kathmandu valley; speaking with various experts on the challenges and potentials in tackling the taboos around menstruation. She also attends a workshop on menstruation and women empowerment conducted by the local NGO Akasha Academy (https://www.akasha-academy.org) together with Nidisi (https://nidisi.com) to see how change is implemented on the ground.

Keki Adhikari is a well-known actress, model and film producer in her native Nepal. Since October 2020, she has a new role: as goodwill ambassador for menstrual health. Working with MHMPA and the GIZ-implemented Support to the Health Sector Strategy (S2HSS), she is raising awareness about the challenges which women and girls in Nepal continue to face during their monthly periods. With more than 1.5 million followers on social media, Keki is in a powerful position to tackle the misconceptions and stigma which surround menstruation – and to advocate for dignified menstruation for all.

Nepal’s Menstrual Movement is a joint project of MHMPA, GIZ and Sustainable Sanitation Alliance (SuSanA). It was produced with support from GIZ on behalf of Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.

  • Rajin Maharjan
    Director
  • Keki Adhikari
    Presenter
  • Sami Pande
    Production Manager
  • Dirk Gilson
    Executive Producer
  • Tabea Seiz
    Commissioning Editors
  • Jan Schlenk
    Commissioning Editors
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    महिनावारी सम्बन्धि नेपालको अभियान – भाग २: छनोट तपाईको हो
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short, Web / New Media
  • Runtime:
    7 minutes 38 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 27, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    15,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Nepal
  • Country of Filming:
    Nepal
  • Language:
    English, Nepali
  • Shooting Format:
    digital, full-frame
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival (KIMFF)
    Kathmandu
    Nepal
    December 12, 2021
  • Online Screening, Facebook - Nepali Version
    Kathmandu
    Nepal
    December 8, 2021
    Nepal Premiere
Distribution Information
  • Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management Partners' Alliance (MHMPA) Nepal
    Distributor
    Country: Nepal
    Rights: All Rights, Internet
  • German Development Cooperation (GIZ)
    Distributor
    Country: Nepal
    Rights: All Rights, Internet
  • Sustainable Sanitation Alliance (SuSanA)
    Distributor
    Country: Germany
    Rights: All Rights, Internet
Director Biography - Rajin Maharjan

Rajin Maharjan, started his career as a visual editor/animator in 2010. He has a middle class humble origin and resides in Kathmandu. After a few years, as a visual editor/animator he started creative writing and directing ad films. This is where his ability flourished and in the span of over a decade he has written and directed over 100 television commercials, documentaries and PSAs. He has not only directed streamlined projects also has directed and produced quiz show "Career Quiz" for AP 1 HD in one of the national television of Nepal. As of now he is one of the sought after creative directors in Nepal especially in social development organizations.

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Director Statement

Every project is different and each project brings opportunities and challenges. The documentary movie production of the #NepalsMenstrualMovement Campaign, highlighting the existing menstrual taboos in Nepal, enriched my experience differently which fulfilled my desire directing short awareness social message movies. I was fortunate to travel to Dhangadhi a far-western district with popular Nepali female actor Keki Adhikari and visit different members of Nepal's Menstrual Hygiene Management Partners' Alliance (MHMPA). The level of awareness about menstrual management and the mentality of people about talking openly about it was a whole new experience. I felt that the distance of the place from Kathmandu didn’t affect the level of knowledge and positive thinking on menstrual hygiene management among adolescents. Despite the deep-rooted traditional norms and values existing among the older generation, all the adolescent girls provided their consent to become part of the interview process and were open when communicating on the topic. This made me realize that our country has forwarded its step towards progressive development. In addition to that, the level of knowledge and literature research done by Keki Adhikari also supported us in the entire process. All these factors gave additional energy during the making of this documentary.
It’s always a challenge to prepare a documentary on social issues. However, the mentoring and expert support which I received from Tabea Seiz and Jan Schlenk made it somewhat comfortable. During the production of the documentary, for arranging and managing all the management and logistics I am heartily thankful to Sami Pande. Lastly, I honestly convey my gratitude to Dirk Gilson, who guided my team through his direction and guidance remotely.