This centuries-old custom cannot be eradicated unless all sections of society come together
The 112th International Working Women's Day was marked all over the world the other day. Nepali women also observed this day in the major cities, stressing the need to empower women in politics, education, health care and reproductive rights, and providing greater access to economic opportunities for them. This year's March 8 was celebrated with the theme "Break the Bias", highlighting the importance of gender equality. In Nepal, various women's organisations affiliated to the different political parties have stressed the need for greater participation of women in the three tiers of government. Constitutionally, it is required to ensure at least 33 per cent women's representation at all levels of government. Women have been demanding 50 per cent representation in politics to empower women through policy-level interventions.
Following the elections of the three tiers of government in 2017, many women have been elected to the federal parliament, provincial assemblies and local levels, and they have helped bring about positive changes in the society. "Educate daughters; save daughters" campaign in Madhes Pradesh and the provision of depositing cash in the bank accounts of a new-born girl in Karnali Province for their education up to 12th grade have had long-term positive impact in safeguarding the rights of girls and women.
Although women have been empowered through political and legal interventions following the promulgation of the new constitution, society has, however, yet to see a sea change when it comes to ending the Chhaupadi custom in far- and mid-western Nepal.
Women are still forced to stay in the chhau sheds during menstruation for five days a month, causing them much difficulty in performing their daily work. This centuries-old custom cannot be eradicated unless all sections of society come together. Member of all political parties, civil society, elected officials at the local levels and law enforcement agencies must work in-tandem to bring an end to the Chhaupadi custom, which claims the lives of many women every year while staying in the isolated chhau sheds.
Law has also outlawed Chhaupadi, but to no avail.
However, everything has not gone wrong. People in Badimalika Municipality in Bajura district have roped in shamans, priests and traditional faith healers in ending this evil practice. Women in this part of the world want to break this custom. But they fear that God would get angry and punish them if they do not follow the system during their menstruation. The shamans, priests and faith healers, who have huge religious influence in the society, are the ones who can allay such fears from the minds of the locals.
They have now jointly vowed to allow female teachers and girl students to attend school during their periods.
Their involvement will greatly help end the superstitions related to menstruation. Following the discussions with the religious leaders and shamans, five wards of the municipality have been declared chhaushed-free wards. Other local levels could also replicate this idea in ending this evil to empower girls and women. Apart from this, the municipality could also distribute sanitary pads to school-going girls free of charge and upgrade the female toilets along with the provision of running water.
Gas poisoning
It is indeed tragic that four members of a family should die of asphyxiation in Lalitpur on Monday while the sole survivor, the wife, is reported to be in critical condition. According to the police, the young couple in their early twenties and their three children, including a two-day-old baby, had gone to bed in a room that had no windows as the house was being constructed. Apparently, to keep the new mother warm under the metal roof, a coal fire had been lit, which must have led to carbon-monoxide poisoning while they were all asleep.
This is not the first incident of its kind in the Kathmandu Valley with the onset of winter this year, with at least four similar incidents being reported. Such incidents are a recurring phenomenon in Nepal both inside homes and outside. In January 2020, eight tourists, including four children, from Kerala, India were found dead due to asphyxiation caused by a malfunctioning gas heater in their hotel room in Daman.
Doctors warn that people who use gas heaters to heat their rooms or for hot water in the bathroom must have a proper ventilation system in place to prevent suffocation and carbon-monoxide poisoning.
Only awareness will nudge people into following the safety rules.
A version of this article appears in the print on March 9, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.
