“You? A man?” – A conversation on menopause in Kathmandu

was, walking into the meeting hall for the ‘s “Menopause to Meno-peak” seminar, when I bumped into an acquaintance. Her greeting was as blunt as it was good-natured: “You? A man? On a menopause panel?” A fantastic start, I thought, for the lone male panelist on an all-star female team, especially considering the topic!

But any initial awkwardness melted away when I met my co-panelists. Ani Choying Drolma, the world-famous Buddhist Singing Nun, and The audience was just as inspiring—a diverse mix of activists, policymakers, politicians, lawyers, health experts, and media of all ages and genders. Their questions during the Q&A session were as sharp as they were insightful, sparking a truly dynamic exchange.

One particularly powerful moment came when Ani Choying Drolma shared her experiences with menopause. In many countries, faith and sexual and reproductive health are seen as opposing concepts. Ani’s courage in speaking openly highlighted the critical need for bridges between these areas. Her talk was a call to action, paving the way for partnerships to empower women on a deeper level.

The complexities of menopause and Nepal’s unique socio-economic context led to some interesting discussions about potential solutions. When invited to share my thoughts, here is what I offered at different levels on the way forward. Some short-term and some more long-term.