In conversation with the founder of Freedom Kit Bags: Rosa Matheson

By Claire Dukes - 9 July 2018

CharityHealth and Beauty

Thanks to the efforts of a Swindon-based charity, founded by Rosa Matheson, a rural village in Nepal has access to sanitary products and will also provide a school with its first ever female-only bathrooms.

Access to sanitary products seems like a basic purchase in the western world, but in countries like Nepal it's a brand-new luxury.

What started as trips out to Nepal with her husband Dr Ian Matheson to provide health care to Nepalese people, turned into a mission to better the lives and health care of Nepali women and girls.

For the last 10 years Rosa Matheson has been visiting a rural village in Nepal providing sanitary products to the women and young girls living there through the charity Freedom Kit Bags. Up until Rosa's interaction with the women in the village periods were believed to be a curse - they would be put into goat houses, or made to live in special 'hides', during their time of the month. The women and young girls had no idea that this is something every woman across the world goes through.

One girl from the village was 15 when she got her first period. She was put outside, as a normal process, and fed only rice and salt. She was found unconscious after a few days because of the severe cold but also because she bled too much. At this point I wasn't sure who was tearing up more, myself or Rosa.

"They're told they're cursed," Rosa explained "and dehumanised. When I tell them I bleed, and that women in England bleed, they're shocked. The women have found that the bags are working to have a positive effect."

Rosa has since been spending her time in Nepal to educate the men and women about menstruation - up until this point the women had no access to sanitary products and didn't know what they were or used for. The bags contain panties pad holders, day pads, night pads, strings and pegs, a wet bag, and soap which are given to the women in a waterproof bag. The bags cost £25 and the products provide women with two years of protection.

Rosa said: "Everything is pretty and eco-friendly made in 100% cotton. I think this is now the sixth model we've made, and I've worn every one of them to test them!"

Rosa explained that during menstruation women and girls are not allowed to touch the men in the village, can't eat with other people, and girls can't attend school. One of the benefits behind these bags is that nobody knows they are on their period which stops them being shamed and gives them a sense of freedom.

"The girls and women are made to be ashamed and are ostracised over something they have no control over. When I speak to them now they've found there's such a difference in their lives - it's accepted now in the whole village."

Without access to the Freedom Kit Bags women become vulnerable to vaginal and bacterial infections, some which can lead to incredibly poor health which can sometimes result in death.

Since its introduction Rosa has become a sought-after woman. On one of the last visits women from the surrounding villages of Chyamtang, and Chepuwa, Chhumsur, Ridek and Lingam came to meet her in the hopes of receiving their very own kit bag.

Marching forward menstruation is now talked about in schools with both boys and girls. "With the boys we explain they get erections they can't control - when they have wet dreams do they get put outside of the house? No. They're learning that it's [menstruation] natural and not a bad thing."

Since the earthquake in 2015 the need for Freedom Kit Bags has become paramount. The money donated to Freedom Kit Bags goes towards providing a bag to every Nepali woman and girl, resources to support ambassadors who teach in schools, and travel to the villages - this can take up to five hours. The travel also allows the group to take medical supplies to the surrounding villages which have been most affected by the aftermath from the earthquake.

Money has also been set aside which has enabled Rosa to start a revolutionary project in one school in Nepal. For the first time ever, the school will receive its first female-only toilet block. Each of the three toilets has been specifically fitted with a lock - which girls can reach - and a shelf to place the kit bags on. Considering the school has 250 pupils, this may not seem progressive, but because of the efforts from Freedom Kit Bags, their partners and ambassadors, the people in Nepal are slowly being liberated. Rosa added: "We couldn't do it without the people we work with in Nepal - so honest, caring and committed."

For further information visit www.freedomkitbags.org

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