Menstruating in Nepal- The Chaupadi Pratha

Kaajal Gunputh Kaajal Gunputh Oct 31, 2018 1882 0

Menstruating in Nepal- The Chaupadi Pratha

Menstruating in Nepal- The Chaupadi Pratha

In some parts of Nepal, periods are treated as something dirty, impure, and contaminating. Girls and women are alienated from society, family, friends and their house while menstruating. They are forced to stay away from the house and have to face inhumane conditions and humiliation.

A Nepali Tradition called Chaupadi Pratha is responsible for the deaths of many girls and women across Nepal. Though this tradition had been banned and criminalized by law, it is still commonly practiced in the mid and western regions of Nepal. It stipulates that menstruating girls and women are dirty and are not supposed to enter the kitchen, attend school or interact socially. The worse part of the Chaupadi Pratha is that girls and women are forced to leave the house and stay in small sheds in the woods far from the house or sometimes animal shed or even mud sheds. These small huts apart from being unhygienic, dark and small are also prone to attacks by rapists, wild animals and even extreme weather conditions.

Where does this tradition come from?
Like many other traditions, the chaupadi Pratha has its roots from religion. They believe that there used to be a king of gods, who committed a great sin. To make up from his horrible doings, he created menstruation so that women can suffer with him on a monthly basis. Scriptures state that while menstruating, women are highly infectious and spread viruses through their mouth and limbs hence making them dangerous, dirty and impure.  That is the reason why during the menses, women are not allowed to touch their loved ones, food or even sleep in their own houses.

In June 2018, Parbati Budha a young girl of eighteen years old, died in her chaupadi hut during her period. She was bitten twice on the finger by a venomous snake while banished. She was deprived of medical treatment immediately as the hut was far from her house, parents and relatives.

This is not the first case of death due to the tradition. In January 2018, 22-years old Gauri Budha was found dead by her neighbours inside a menstrual shed. In July 2017, 19-years old, Tulasi Shahi was also bitten by a venomous snake and passed away. In November 2016, 21-years old Dambara Upadhyay was found dead and in December 2016, body of 15-years old Roshani Tiruwa was discovered.

The incidents are painful but not as painful as the fact that we are not sure whether Parbathi’s case will be the last one.

Exact figures are not known as proper records are not maintained by the government. But it is believed that almost 12 girls die every year in the name of tradition across Nepal.

Menstrual hut Nepal

Usually, menstrual huts are constructed away from homes so that menstruating women are out of sight and contact. Most huts have poor sanitation and ventilation. As a result women die from suffocation, snake or scorpion bite.

While the tradition is more severe in the village areas, in some parts of the country girls are exposed to less extreme conditions while menstruating. They are not allowed to eat along with the other family members and are forbidden to enter the kitchen.

Many young girls and women have come to understand that it has nothing to do with god being angry at them. They know that it is merely superstition; however they choose to abide and follow by the traditions due to the fear of isolation from the society.

Despite being banned by the law, this tradition is claiming lives of many women and girls across the country. The question to ask is how many more women must die so that social mindsets and attitudes changes?

 

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