Between Tradition and Transformation: Visual Accounts of Menstrual Experiences in Rural Nepal Using Collaborative Filmmaking.

Abstract

BackgroundMenstruation in Nepal is shaped by intersecting factors of caste, ethnicity, religion, geography, and generational norms, with practices ranging from subtle restrictions to overt seclusion. Despite being a natural biological process, menstruation is deeply stigmatized, affecting women's dignity, safety, and daily activities. PurposeThis study explored menstrual practices and intergenerational knowledge transmission among mothers and grandmothers in a rural far-west Nepali village.Research DesignUsing Collaborative Filmmaking - a participatory visual method - women participated in the study as filmmakers, co-researchers, and storytellers. Thirteen women, aged 23-68, from diverse caste and ethnic backgrounds co-created two films, 8-Day Journey and Stay Away, which documents daily routines, restrictions, and rituals in Kanchanpur.ResultsFindings revealed persistent limitations around sacred spaces, kitchens, water sources, and interpersonal contact, and highlighted evolving practices such as greater autonomy in sleeping arrangements, nutrition practices, and menstrual product use. Religious traditions were especially enduring even as other taboos declined. Participants reported enhanced comfort, hygiene, and agency due to increased access to menstrual products and knowledge, yet intergenerational tensions persist, with younger women challenging norms while elders maintain tradition.ConclusionsThe films provide visual insight into the subtle negotiation, reinterpretation, and resistance of restrictive practices, which illustrate both tradition and adaptation. These findings underscore the importance of multi-generational engagement, culturally and religiously sensitive interventions, and creative participatory approaches to amplify local voices. Integrating these strategies can inform policy, advocacy, and programmatic efforts to reduce menstrual stigma, enhance autonomy, and promote holistic health and well-being for women and girls in Nepal.