Australia Awards South and West Asia

Menopause remains a largely unspoken topic in Nepali society. Challenging this silence, two Australia Awards alumni—Dr Neeti Aryal Khanal and Reejuta Sharma Dixit—took the lead in conceptualising, developing and facilitating a workshop titled ‘Workshop on Menopause: Breaking Silence, Building Support’. The event, which was held in Kathmandu on 13 March 2026, was organised by Australia Awards – Nepal’s Women in Leadership Network to mark the week of International Women’s Day.

The workshop created a safe and inclusive space where alumni could openly discuss menopause, share lived experiences, and explore ways to strengthen support at home and in the workplace. Six alumni contributed as speakers and storytellers, while more than 70 participants engaged in thoughtful dialogue and reflection.

Participants of the workshop photographed with His Excellency Mr Simon Ernst and his spouse, Simone Murphy (front row, middle).

Australia’s Ambassador to Nepal, His Excellency Mr Simon Ernst, delivered opening remarks—his first engagement with Australia Awards alumni. He commended the alumni for addressing an important yet often overlooked issue, acknowledged the physical and emotional challenges associated with menopause, and emphasised the shared responsibility of supporting women through this life stage. He also recognised the significant contributions Australia Awards alumni continue to make to Nepal’s development.

Ambassador Ernst addressing the alumni.

The technical session was led by alum Dr Sanu Maiya Shrestha Pradhan, Managing Director and Senior Consultant Gynaecologist and Fertility Specialist at Creator’s IVF Nepal Pvt Ltd. Her presentation covered the science and physiology of menopause and its impact on women’s health.

Dr Shrestha Pradhan outlined the three stages of menopause—perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause—and discussed common symptoms, including vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats, genitourinary changes, cardiovascular risks and metabolic impacts. She reassured participants that menopause can be effectively managed through healthy lifestyle practices, psychological support and, when appropriate, hormone replacement therapy due to declining estrogen levels. She also highlighted that men experience andropause, an age-related decline in testosterone, reinforcing the importance of empathy across genders.

Dr Sanu Maiya Shrestha Pradhan delivering her presentation on menopause.

Setting the context for deeper discussion, Dr Neeti Aryal Khanal, Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at Patan Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University, shared her work on menopause sensitisation, including a recent awareness initiative supported by an Australia Awards alumni grant.

Alum Dr Neeti Aryal Khanal leading the storytelling session.

She then facilitated an alumni storytelling session featuring four alumni who shared their personal experiences with or supporting others with menopause:

• Reejuta Sharma Dixit, Program Manager, Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission, Nepal
• Smriti Sharma, Vice President – Policy Advocacy and Liaisoning, Nepal Infrastructure Bank Limited
• Dr Sunita Maleku Amatya, Chairperson, AutismCare Nepal Society
• Dr Dhiraj Pradhananga, Head, Department of Meteorology, Tri-Chandra Campus and a member of the Australia Awards – South Asia & Mongolia Male Allies for Gender Equality alumni network.

The storytellers spoke candidly about navigating menopause-related challenges alongside professional responsibilities and family life, and about the importance of seeking support rather than suffering in silence.

Alumni (Left to right): Smriti Sharma, Reejuta Sharma Dixit, Dr Sunita Maleku Amatya and Dr Dhiraj Pradhananga share their stories on menopause

Following the storytelling session, Reejuta Sharma Dixit moderated discussions that invited participants to reflect on their own experiences and brainstorm ways to strengthen menopause support systems, both in the workplace and at home. Alumni proposed ideas ranging from increased workplace sensitisation and empathy to formal policy advocacy. Some suggested simple daily practices, such as regular check-ins, to better understand colleagues’ wellbeing.

The final session was led by alum Sami Pande, Advisor – Gender Equality and Social Inclusion in Health Sector, GIZ Nepal. She presented a menopause toolkit developed alongside Dr Aryal Khanal and session co-presenters Dr Madhurima Bhadra and Jyotika Rimal. Each participant received a hardcopy toolkit containing practical information and resources to support menopause in the workplace.

Reflecting on the event, participant Meena Thapa (Nutrition Officer, UNICEF) says, “Alumni from across backgrounds and genders filled the room for a topic/area not touched on in our society/workplace.” She notes that discussions “were candid and pointed: menopause is a workplace issue, not a private one”. Furthermore, she says, “Women should not have to mask what they are going through to be taken seriously at work. Grateful to Australia Awards – Nepal for creating this space, and to every alumnus who showed up and spoke up.”

Alum Dristi Pandey asking a question during the presentation

Alum Dr Deepak Aryal (Dermatologist, Venereologist, Leprologist; Chirayu National Hospital, Ishan Pediatric and Maternity Hospital and Meridian Multi Speciality Polyclinic) shares his takeaway from the event: “Menopause is a stage, not an age. It is a freedom and a wisdom.”

Dr Shrestha Pradhan notes, “We Australia Awards alumni are so lucky [to gain] so much learning and so much strength for our leadership responsibilities. I felt like we all are in continuous guidance from the Australia Awards Scholarship.”

Alumni of all genders emerged from the workshop with a deeper understanding of menopause and clearer ideas on how individuals, families and organisations can foster supportive, inclusive environments. By breaking the silence, Australia Awards alumni are helping to ensure menopause is recognised and discussed openly as a shared social and workplace issue.

The Women in Leadership Network is a member-led alumni initiative under Australia Awards – Nepal that aims to connect, celebrate and strengthen women leaders. Together, its members seek to foster equity and inclusion by sharing knowledge, building leadership capacity and advancing gender equality.