SAMABIKAS

SAMABIKAS is a girl-centred grassroots organisation that raises awareness of the dangers of the ancient tradition of chhaupadi. Based in Accham, one of the remotest districts of Nepal, SAMABIKAS helps marginalised and excluded groups in fighting gender-based discrimination. It works with social, political and religious leaders to campaign against chhaupadi. It also engages rights workers, teachers, students, as well as women’s groups and mothers’ cooperatives to align their efforts in fighting the practice. Its programmes include work with adolescent girls to teach them about sexual health rights. It also works on eliminating child marriage and promoting girls’ education. Through its campaigning efforts, SAMABIKAS has managed to convince three communities in the Accham district to dismantle the chhaupadi huts and declare themselves chhaupadi free areas. In addition to fighting menstrual exile, SAMABIKAS advocates for an end to gender-based violence. It has helped authorities set up committees that keep track of and report incidences of violence at the domestic and community levels. It also works on the empowerment of women and girls in the community by providing various training schemes and offering education on sexual and reproductive health rights. For the organisation, girls’ input is vital in the designing of its programmes. They are also closely involved in the implementation phase. SAMABIKAS trains girl volunteers to help raise awareness of harmful social and cultural issues.