Sampada Anuranjanee Khatiwada

The government recently started demolishing the menstrual huts, known as Chhaugoths in western Nepal, with a motive to end Chhaupadi practice, where menstruating women and girls are forced to live in isolated menstrual huts.
Although criminalisation of the ill practice in 2017 couldn’t end the practice, 300 Chhaugoths were demolished in the district, in the initiation of the District Administration Office (DAO).
Initiation of the government to completely end Chhaupadi is commendable. However, the people have been voicing that the government was late in taking action against Chhaupadi, as the practice has already taken lives of several women.
A study of Chhaupadi practice in Dailekh and Achham reported deaths of 18 girls and women while staying in Chhaugoth during their menstruation until March, 2019.
“Menstruation seclusion is not at all acceptable, be it Chhaupadi practice or be it seclusion within households,” said Reecha Karki, 26, a social worker. “Chhau exists in every household and not only in the western Nepal.”
Karki said that almost every woman and girlface some restrictions at their own houses during their menses.
A study conducted by Mid-wifery Society of Nepal (MIDSON) revealed that 89 per cent of Nepali women during menstruation are prohibited from performing various rituals.
Aastha Thapaliya, 15, a student of Kathmandu-based school said, “I face some restrictions at my house during my period.”
“I am not allowed to enter the kitchen, touch the male member of my family, touch foods and utensils when I am menstruating,” she said.
Thapaliya said that she had asked her mother about the rationale behind it. “She didn’t have any answer,” she said. “This is the tradition we’ve been following so we should give continuation to it, my mom said.”
Aastha said that her friends in school were also a part of menstrual seclusion.
Unlike Aastha, Aanchal Shahi, a social worker said, “My family also used to follow the practice of menstrual seclusion before.”
Shahi said that she was restricted from performing certain activities at her own house. “But when I started convincing my parents abouthow menstruation is a biological process and it has nothing to do with impurities, we stopped following the taboo.”
Chhau, a menstrual taboo, exists in supermajority in our community, she said.
Laxmi Tamang, President, MIDSON, said, “Culture and tradition are the only factors which have been backing up this taboo.”
Unless people’s mindset of blindly following their culture and tradition gets changed, Chhau will continue to exist in Nepali households, she said.
Tamang said that education was the key behind ending menstrual seclusion. “It is vital to educate people and initiation from local, state and central level is necessary for it.”
Chhau practice exists in society in next level. Around 89 per cent Nepali women face menstrual seclusion. This is a huge number, so initiation proportionate to this figure must be taken.
Social worker Shahi said, “I have seen many girls and women, especially in the city area, voicing against seclusion during menstruation.”
Some have been able to break the chain of exclusionary practices longing from generation to generation while some still have to go through seclusion every month during their menses, even if they do not want to, said Shahi.
Both, Shahi and Karki said that the government’s step of demolishing Chhaugoths is noteworthy. “It is high time to draw the government’s attention towards seclusion existing in every household, when their wives, mothers or daughters go through menstruation.”
Isha Gyawali, a doctor, said, “Even though menstruation in Nepali culture is considered to be ‘impure’, the reality is otherwise.”
“The impure blood comes out of a woman’s body during her menses. This, in a way means that the woman is being purified instead.”
It is important to end these socio-cultural practices and focus on improving menstrual health and hygiene, she said.
Awareness generating programmes on reproductive health, for both men and women of all age groups must be conducted to end seclusion during menstruation.
MIDSON president Tamang said that the Chhau practice, which has been nailed to our society, could end only if the government and other stakeholders focused on ending menstrual seclusion and improving menstrual hygiene.