Privacy, water and usable facilities
Bhutan Toilet Organization and partners introduced a label for toilets providing water, privacy, menstrual-waste bins and sanitary pads. Executive director Passang Tshering also presented a mobile-ramp initiative for public events. The campaign brought together education and health authorities, civil-society organisations and development partners around practical access requirements. [1]
Tshering Lham describes the barrier
In UNICEF’s account published on 29 May 2023, Draktsho vocational-training student Tshering Lham explained that unsuitable toilets kept her and some friends at home during menstruation. “Menstruation and disabilities are not something to be embarrassed about,” she said. She called for accessible facilities and continued action against stigma.
A national commitment followed
On 28 May 2024, Education Minister Yeezang De Thapa announced a five-year goal to make all schools period-friendly. Red Dot Bhutan launched national water, sanitation and hygiene standards. SNV country director Kencho Wangdi stressed that the needs of women and girls with disabilities must be addressed. [3]