Imagine being a young girl facing challenging obstacles every day in school. You are eager to learn but have to share toilets with boys, have no access to handwashing or drinking water stations, and have no proper place to dispose of sanitary products. These issues cause you to miss school and maybe even drop out. This was the harsh reality for Chadani Mahara, a determined student in grade eight at Tomane Secondary School in Kepilasgadi Rural Municipality, Khotang District.
She shares her experience vividly: “Sometimes, we had to wait for an hour just to use the toilet at our school. The queue of children during breaks and lunch was so long it would make us late for class.”
The lack of safe and private facilities weighed heavily on Chadani and her classmates. “We had a common toilet for boys and girls, which made us feel uncomfortable and unsafe. I was always afraid that a boy might try to open the door while I was inside. So, I was bound to choose to walk a distance to find a neighbor's toilet rather than use the school facilities.”
This is a familiar story for many girls in rural areas. According to the UN, nearly 1 in 5 girls still do not complete lower-secondary education, and nearly 4 in 10 girls do not complete upper-secondary school today. While many girls battle cultural norms and personal hardships to begin school, there is an urgent need for improved facilities and support to keep girls in school.
For Chadani, a ray of hope arrived when dZi supported the construction of new child-friendly and disability-friendly toilets in the school, most importantly, separate ones for boys and girls. She describes the profound impact this change has had on her life: “After dZi supported the construction, I feel safe and happy in school. I can now use the toilet without fear. The new facilities include an incinerator for pad disposal, making it easier for my friends and me. We all feel much safer now.”
This change has not only improved her comfort but has also transformed her school attendance. “I come to school regularly during my period now. Before, I avoided school because of the discomfort and fear associated with the lack of facilities like separate toilets, handwashing stations, and a proper place to throw away our used pads.”
The positive shift is echoed by teachers as well. One teacher remarked, “Our students faced many problems due to the lack of basic WASH facilities. At times, we had to carry water in buckets from the neighborhood to support students. Now, with the new toilets, we have seen significant improvements. Students arrive in class on time, and the fear of missing school due to a lack of facilities has diminished.”
dZi has been instrumental in renovating and constructing toilets, handwashing stations, and drinking water facilities in public schools across eastern Nepal. dZi also consistently centers the voices of students like Chadani in its initiatives to solve their most pressing challenges. Since 2019, we have supported 53 schools for toilet construction and repair. This initiative is vital for empowering students, particularly girls, to focus on their studies, ensuring they do not miss school during menstruation, and ultimately helping them stay in school.
Today, as we celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child, we are determined to raise awareness about issues affecting girls in eastern Nepal. This year’s theme, “Girls’ Vision for the Future,” seeks to empower girls, amplify their voices, and support their agency to shape strategies and policies that ensure a better future for us all. Thus, we want to honor Chadani’s vision of dignified menstruation and inclusive education.
By supporting safe and sanitary facilities in schools, especially in rural areas with limited access, we ensure that Chadani and every girl like her feels safe, comfortable, and supported in her educational journey. Together, we can help build a brighter future for her and, consequently, for the community. Let us work together to make schools a haven for all children, particularly girls, who deserve the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive without fear or discomfort.