Kathmandu, May 23:

The government has formulated a draft of the ‘Chhaupadi Elimination Directives, 2064’ to do away with the practice of chhaupadi in nine districts of the Far-Western and Mid-Western Development Regions.

Adolescent girls have to live in cow sheds for at least 15 days during their first menstruation period in the nine districts — Kalikot, Dadeldhura, Dailekh, Humla, Jumla, Achham, Bajura, Doti and Bajhang.

The Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare has come up with the draft of the directives in accordance with a Supreme Court verdict on May 2, 2005 that abolished discrimination against women.

The draft has identified both short and long-term programmes to bring an end to the age-old practice.

The short-term programmes point out the need to organise public awareness programmes through various methods, make provision for immediate health check-up and nutrition facilities, honour individuals and community members who take initiatives to defy the practice and discourage individuals who continue with the practice by penalizing them.

The long-term plans point out the need to empower women socially, economically and politically and make proportional participation of women in all spheres of life, ensure women rights and set up an equitable society.

A district-level committee comprising representatives from the local authorities, district women development authorities, District Education Office, District Health Office, District Police Office, NGOs and INGOs will be set up. The committee will formulate the plan of action for the programmes.

The directives has identified the role of Women Development Officers in targeting schools, women and children affected by the practice of chhaupadi.

The committee will use for its work resources from the Parliament Development Fund, local authorities fund, district-level government authorities, NGOs and INGOs.