KATHMANDU, AUGUST 13
A total of 39 menstrual huts have been demolished in Kanchanpur district in a recent campaign against the harmful practice of chhaupadi.
According to the District Police Office, Kanchanpur, 23 huts were dismantled in Bedkot Municipality–10, while Krishnapur Municipality–1 removed 16 huts used to seclude women and girls during menstruation.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Sagar Bohara said the demolitions were carried out in the presence of local representatives, social organizations, police personnel, and members of the public. The highest number of demolitions took place in Nigali and Bhenti Bazaar.
The drive gained urgency following the death of 28-year-old Kamala Auji, who died of a snakebite last month while staying in a menstrual hut in Nagal, Krishnapur Municipality–1.
In the aftermath, the District Administration Office directed all local bodies to eradicate such huts, which are rooted in the superstitious belief that menstruating women should be isolated from their families to avoid "disrespecting God."
Ward No. 10 Chairman of Bedkot Municipality, Ratan Singh Bista, confirmed that his ward had demolished 23 such huts. However, he noted the ongoing challenge, saying, "We dismantle the menstrual huts, but the concerned households rebuild them." He added that there are plans to provide orientation programs to households on the dangers and harmful consequences of the practice.
Advocates stress the urgent need to raise widespread public awareness against such social ills, including chhau-the practice of isolating menstruating women in chhaugoth (outhouses).
Ward No. 1 Chairman of Krishnapur Municipality, Mohan Basnet, said his community is relatively more aware of the harmful nature of the practice and confirmed that they had previously destroyed 16 such huts.
(With inputs from Rastriya Samachar Samiti)
