NEPAL: The practice is most common in Sudurpaschim Province, where social stigma and superstition continue to thrive despite legal prohibitions. A 28-year-old woman died from a snake bite while staying in a menstrual shed in Kanchanpur district. Chhaupadi, a deeply entrenched social custom in western Nepal, requires menstruating women to isolate themselves from their homes—usually in sheds, cattle pens, or separate huts—due to the belief that they are ‘impure.’ Although Chhaupadi was made illegal in 2017, with penalties of up to three months in prison, a fine of Rs3,000, or both, enforcement is still weak. “We continue to educate them, but they don’t heed our advice.”
- Lord, we pray for a transformation in societal attitudes towards menstruation and the eradication of harmful customs like Chhaupadi. We ask for wisdom and strength for those advocating for change and educating communities about women’s rights and health (The Holy Bible, Romans 12:2).
- Lord, we pray for the protection and healing of women affected by harmful practices during menstruation, that they may find safety, dignity, and support in their communities (The Holy Bible, Deuteronomy 31:6).
News Source: The Kathmandu Post
Image Source: Canva
