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Efforts to end chhaupadi a monthly stigma in rural Nepal

Slug: Nepal menstruation

Reporter: Sunil NeupaneDate: 12/12/2012

INTRO

Once a month, during their menstruation period, woman in rural parts of Nepal, arent allowed to

participate in normal family activities.

They are considered impure and have to live in a small hut with no windows, far away from their

homes.

The tradition, known as chhaupadi, often leads to depression and in some cases even death.

But recently a village in far western Nepal put an end to the practice.

Sunil Neupane joins the celebrations.

TEXT

SFX 3 drum and singing

Dozens of people in Bhageshwor village gather in a nearby temple, playing drums and singing

traditional songs.

Theyre celebrating the end ofchhaupadi a tradition that isolates women during their

menstruation period.

Prakash Katri is the head of the local community.

PRAKASH CLIP 1 (MALE, NEPALI) We formed a special committee to stop this shamefulpractice in our village. Educated people and community health volunteers are ready to help us.

Its not easy to convince the old people, theyre against our campaign. We had arguments in

some areas. They believe that during the menstruation period, women should stay inside the hut

or God will be angry. We tried several times but they are not ready for change. So we tried withfamilies where the father and mother or the father-in-law and mother-in-low were prepared to try

it out. After the women stayed for a few months inside the main house, nothing happened. So

finally we convinced them.

Under the chauppadi tradition, menstruating women are considered impure.

Therefore they have to live far away from home for up to 4 days, in a hut that is commonly used

for cows - with dirt floors and no windows.

They must survive only on dry food, salt and rice.


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18-year student Dibya Bohara hates the chhauppadi hut.

DIBYA CLIP 1 (Female, NEPALI) Im afraid of snakes. I heard that a woman died there

because of a snake bite. Theres no light in the hut and someone might attack me during the

night. The hut is a 10 minute-walk from my home. And I cant read anything when Im inside thehut.

SFX 1 Sweeping

35-year-old Belu Pandit used to worry a lot about her family every time she had to stay in the

hut.

BELU PANDIT CLIP 1 (FEMALE, NEPALI): When I was away, I worried about my sick

husband and my childrens welfare. I couldnt sleep well. But now I can stay at home, Im very

happy. Thank God.

The huts are very unhygienic; women are often sick with diarrhoea and respiratory problems. In

severe situations, they can also suffer from malnutrition.

Even after giving birth, they have to stay in the hut with their babies this leads to high rates of

infant and maternal mortality in western Nepal.

According to local police, 8 women in Accham district have died inside chhaupadi huts in the

past four years.

And last month a teenage girl was raped inside one of the huts.

Local NGO Sam Bikash has been working on this issue for years. Program Manager DhrubaSunar says its hard to convince people to stop the tradition.

DHRUBA CLIP 1 (Male, NEPALI) We face a big challenge from the local Shamans andreligious leaders. They asked for a guarantee for the well being of their family members. They

said, if any cattle died as a result menstruating woman staying at home, we would have to give

them compensation. Its hard to convince them. For example, one woman in my village started to

stay at home, not in the hut. And then a snake was found at home and rumour spread that thishappened because she didnt stay in the chhaupadi hut. We also face difficulties from educated

people who dont want to end this harmful practice.

In 2005, Nepals Supreme Court ordered the government to abolish chhaupadi.

Three years ago the government published a protocol to bring an end to what it described as anevil practice.

But in rural areas, people are still following the tradition says Dr Aruna Upreti, a consultant for

the NGO British Nepal Medical Trust.


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ARUNA CLIP 1 (FEMALE, ENGLISH): In some parts far away from the city, the chhaupadi

is still strong. Some female activists and community health volunteers are continuing the practicetoo. When I asked them why, they say its because of their in-laws, its difficult for them to say

no.

SFX 3 Janaki talking

Chhaupadi also stops girls from going to school when theyre menstruating.

School principal, 41-year old Janaki Bohara, is against the tradition.

JANAKI BOHARA CLIP 1 (FEMALE, NEPALI): In the past, girls couldnt come to school ifthey were having their period. We had to take four days leave. But one day I started to come to

school. Local people said they were angry with me and that I would die. I was afraid, but when I

continued coming to school, nothing happened. And after that, other girls and female teachers

also started to come to school during their period.

SFX 4 SINGING AND DANCING

Back at the celebrations, 35-year old Parwati Bohara is happy.

PARBATI CLIP 1 (FEMALE, NEPALI): We used to believe that God would be angry if we

stayed at home during menstruation. And there were cases of pneumonia when we stayed in the

chhaupadi hut. Now we can stay in our own home even when we have our period. Our children

and their mothers are now safe.

SFX 5 People are talking and laughing in a hotel

But in other parts of the district, women still have to struggle hard...

According to the Womens Development Office, out of a total of 19 thousand women ofreproductive age, only 3 thousand have started staying at home during menstruation.

42-year old Gokul Nath, sees nothing wrong with the tradition.

Gokul CLIP 1 (MALE, NEPALI): Weve been practicing this tradition for a very long time in

our society. My mother is still not ready for any change, how can we expect things to change

soon? I think we should wait until the next generation.

For Asia Calling I'm Sunil Neupane in Nepal.

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Nepal Menstruation FINAL FINAL Bhs Inggris