KANCHANPUR: A campaign has been launched recently to dismantle Chhaupadi sheds throughout the Bedkot Municipality of Kanchanpur district.

The campaign initiated by the Conflict Victim and Single Women Development Centre, a local NGO, in coordination with Bedkot ward office, dismantled more than four dozens Chhaupadi sheds in wards 1 and 2 of the municipality.

Chhaupadi — an outlawed practice in Nepal, specifically in the far west Hindu communities, that banishes women to a shed during menstruation and after child birth deeming them impure — is criminalised by the government.

"Chhaupadi is an ill practice that is outlawed in the country", said Sita Bohara, Chairperson at the Centre, adding that the campaign to end this practice has started in a bid to make Bedkot, a Chhaupadi shed-free municipality.

People from all walks of life have come out and joined the campaign including the Ward Chairs of 1 and 2 Wards, Hari Giri and Naresh Bahadur Singh respectively.

"The sheds should be torn down for the safety of women", said Hari Giri, Chairman of Bedkot-1.

Meanwhile, an awareness programme has also been held, while a committee has been formed to end the practice at each local level.

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