Summer Fellowship 2025 recap by Britina Gautam.

Reflections from My Summer Fellowship 2024 by Alisha Pokharel

Disclaimer: The term “Chhaupadi” is used in this poem to reach a larger audience and to amplify the cries of women—particularly adolescent girls—who face unimaginable struggles within a blind and oppressive societal structure. The use of this term is intended to evoke awareness and understanding, not to degrade or demean any woman. It serves as a tool to highlight the harsh realities of cultural practices that silence and isolate women, forcing their pain into the shadows.  

As Dashain and Tihar approach, the air in Nepal fills with a vibrant energy that resonates with the essence of joy and devotion. These festivals, the most celebrated among Nepali Hindus, are adorned with the rich color red—a hue symbolizing power, fertility, and the divine. Rituals are steeped in this auspicious color as families worship goddesses like Durga and Laxmi. However, amidst this celebration lies a stark contrast: for menstruating individuals, the same color that si

As an aspiring obstetrician-gynecologist and a first generation Nepali-American, I’ve always been passionate about women’s health, especially in Nepal. Being a part of Pad2Go’s first cohort of summer fellows in 2023 was an incredible opportunity that allowed me to step outside of my comfort zone and explore my interests while connecting with my heritage and giving back to my country. Summers are a time for experiential learning, exploring possible career paths, and figuring o

I was born in a society where physical appearance is considered a big deal. At an early age, the thought of my menstruation cycle worried...

You had your menopause 6 years ago but I only came to know about menopause now. And it crushes me to know that you had to go through all...

While menstrual awareness is being given a much-deserved emphasis these days through social media, commercials, and the educational...