For International Women’s Day 2026, I am fundraising to support safe menstruation and to stand with those affected by menstrual exile in rural Nepal. This cause advocates for basic human rights and women’s health—both of which continue to be challenged by the deep-rooted stigma surrounding menstruation in many rural and urban parts of Nepal.

During my Master’s education for my Part II qualification in Architecture, my thesis explored menstrual exile within both rural and urban Nepali contexts. My research examined the many forms this exile can take, ranging from extreme physical separation—where individuals are forced to sleep in cow sheds or menstrual huts outside the home in rural areas—to more subtle but equally harmful spatial restrictions in the urban context. These include being denied the comfort of one’s own bed or the ability to carry out normal daily activities during menstruation, in contemporary settings.

The Karuna Trust works closely with communities in rural Nepal to educate, challenge long-standing beliefs, and help eradicate the stigma surrounding menstruation. Through this work, they aim to ensure that those affected can live safer, healthier, and more dignified lives.

Their ethos and values are outlined below:

Inspired by Buddhist values, Karuna works alongside the most excluded people in South Asia, overcoming discrimination with locally-led education, gender equality and sustainable livelihood projects.

They believe when an individual’s life changes, they can change their community. When a community changes, they can change society.

#compassioninaction