Kathmandu, July 19

Chhaupadi practice — in which women and girls are isolated for days during menstruation —prevalent in western parts of the country has cost the 10 lives, including teenage girls, in the country over the last decade.

According to Mohana Ansari, spokesperson for National Human Rights Commission, deaths of women and girls as a result of Chhaupadi practice hint at the violation of human rights of women in the country,

Speaking at an interaction today, Ansari blamed the delay in drafting related acts and their implementation and lack of accountability on the part of relevant ministries for women’s miseries. She also called on the concerned authorities to enact laws against Chhaupadi practice.

Addressing the programme, Saraswoti Pokharel, a representative from the Ministry of Education stressed the need to educate people regarding the ill-effects of the Chaupadi practice.

Binita Rai, a representative from the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare, emphasised that a separate law should be enacted to deal with the ill-practice.