Menstrual Taboo: Hibernating but Hindering factor of Women's Empowerment in Nepal: By Radha Paudel

Today, many people from different walks of life are working for eliminating the practice of Chhaupadi which is more visible in the Mid West and Far West region of Nepal. Chhaupadi is the practice where women and girls have to stay in the cowshed during menstruation and childbirth. A research report carried out in Jumla and Kalikot from mid-west region, revealed that 77% women and girls are following Chhaupadi during menarche (first menstruation) and none of them allowed to stay in the same bed or room (AWON, 2012). Simply, Chhaupadi  is composed of two words; Chhue and Padi. Chhue refers to untouchable and Padi refers to goth (cow/buffalo shed). Usually in the mid and far west region, menstruation called Phadko Marne (stepping out), Chhue (untouchable), Bahir Sarne (Moving out) and Panchhine (stay far or segregation).

In Nepal, menstrual taboo is strictly practicing by 58 % population across culture as mentioned in CBS, 2011.  As guided by Hinduism, women and girls considered Sudra and menstruation is the result of sin. Menstrual taboo is practicing among Bramin, Chhetri and dalit (so called untouchable) communities thought the intensity and gravity varies from place to place.

The restrictions includes in eating, touching, entering and other actions. Eighty percent of the respondents claimed that they were not allowed to go inside the temple while, 77% reported that they were not allowed to go inside the pray room followed by 70% not allowed in the kitchen, 48% not allowed in the social gatherings and 19% were restricted in the schools (AWON, 2012). Likewise, 76% of the respondents have reported restriction in eating and drinking milk and other milk/dairy products.  Sixty four percent respondents reported restriction in eating holy foods. Eating holy foods following a pray is considered as a gift from the god. Similarly, 51% respondents mentioned restriction in eating meat and meat products followed by 28% reported restriction in eating vegetables (AWON, 2012). About 20% respondents informed that they never attend school during the menstrual period, because of restriction by parents (28%), teasing by boys in the schools and self-hesitation.

Chhaupadi is common in these areas due to having strong faith in religion and culture guided by Hinduism. They believed that it is commenced since Staya Yug (Truth Era). It is mostly imposed by their parents and traditional healers (76 %). Moreover, they perceived that pregnant women, children, and grandparents would be sick if women and girls not followed the instructions. They also claimed that their grandparents will be sick or puturne (chanting mantra and shouting as a result of disappointed family's god), in case of not following the restriction at home or entering in kitchen, worship room or others.

Despite intention and intensity of Chhaupdi, it is not good practice at all by many ways. Menstruation is natural phenomena that add beauty to women and society. Nothing is wrong behind being women and having menstruation. The separation from the family with various restrictions in food, place and others, women and girls would have poor physical health status as well as low self esteem. Research also revealed that 77% women and girls felt loneliness and insecure while they stay in cowshed and also felt low dignity in front of the men members at home, school and community. Likewise, 65 % women and girls cried in each period and afraid from possibility of sexual abuse, rape, snake and animal bites. They also feel extreme cold and sometimes they die due to carbon monoxide due to lack of ventilation. In opposition, during period women and girls need more attention from family and friends including love, respect, rest and nutritious food.

The underlying notion of Chhaupadi is separation and restriction. It differs from place to place and culture to culture. For saying, people believed that menstrual taboos are bad and existed in mid and far west. There are various practices for Chhaupadi. 

It is called Chhuikulo, a improvised cowshed, particularity found in urban areas, found both mother and daughter living in the same place in May 2013, Jumla

Cowshed for Chhaupadi, in Dalit Community in Jumla, April 2013

Improvised cowshed, made on the ground floor along with animals, June 2012, Jumla

Cowshed for Chhaupadi practicing in Achham, Far West Nepal, Nov 2013 (Photo: SCN)

It is not true at all. It is common across all Nepal no matter whether it is urban or rural, educated or uneducated etc. An UN head (worker) shared that his men colleagues be late in office in the morning and worried to leave office due to having menstruation of his wife in Kathmandu.' Likewise, a PhD holder, women activist said that I can't enter in to kitchen and worship neither room nor allow entering to my daughter and helper, I feel afraid.' Many US based Nepali fathers and mothers denied to break the practice of restriction to enter temple, workshop room and kitchen as well as separation from family during menarche (first menstruation). In Terai region, thousands of families segregate from home and men members of the family during menarche and many restriction regards to place, things, eating and entering. Similarly, there is no single connection between teaching and practicing because both male and female health worker and teacher asked their wives and daughters to follow these restrictions.

In conclusion, Chhaupadi is common across Nepali society beyond Nepal. It is not comply with the CEDAW 1979, Interim Constitution 2007 and other human right instruments. Having low self-esteem and restricted in mobility is the hidden hindering factor for women's mobility, school performance that would affect up to the women's overall empowerment including political participation at large.

In this connection, menstrual taboos are common and prominent issue for women empowerment. The anti-Chhaupadi campaign is required deeper and wider range in mid and far west where as awareness raising and policy dialogue should be agenda at all levels. However, few actions should endorse immediately where the taboo is more visible and affect at all dimensions of women's life.  In school, there should be match between teaching and practicing about physiology of the menstruation, separate provision of toilet and rest rooms for the girls where water and sanitation pads should be available. Research reports also showed that sixty percent of the respondent girls reported that toilet construction in each school is very important and emphasized that there should be separate toilets for boys and girls. In school, the boys, school management committee and teachers also should engage to create enabling environment for the girls as well as eliminate the taboo in the community. In addition, the community level activities are crucially important such as engaging traditional healers, parents, political leaders, health workers, media etc through interaction program, community dialogue, felicitation to model family, men and community etc.

Engaging Journalists on Anti- Chhaupadi Campaign, in Jumla, May 2013

Engaging Social Activist on Anti-Chhaupadi Movement in Jumla, May 2013

For details: rpaudel456@gmail.com or actionworksnepal.awon10@gmail.com

JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME TO JUMLA by Jo and Tom Millar, Yackandandah, Australia

“As we rounded the corner of the Kalika Primary School, we were greeted by two long lines of children. Each child had made a necklace of marigolds. As we walked between the lines, the children chanted, clapped and presented us with the necklaces. I looked into the eyes of each child, touched their hands and thanked them. By the time I got to the end of the line, I was overcome with emotion and tears flowed down my red painted tikka cheeks.

The children of Kalika school are from a poor, low caste community living on infertile land. For centuries, their ancestors have worked as labourers for higher caste families. Education has only come very recently to Kalika. The government school has only one government teacher and few resources. So when we met Kar, the community teacher we are supporting with funds from my University in Australia, I felt grateful that we were contributing in some small way to AWON’s efforts.

Despite working in Laos and Indonesia for the last ten years, I was not prepared for the obvious signs of poverty amongst the children of Kalika. Their worn and torn uniforms hung off their skinny bodies like rags. The school committee informed us that the children have no lunch so they go all day without food to give them energy or concentration. There were no books, no desks, no chairs, no equipment and only a flat soccer ball that was kicked around the play area.

As we walked back to town with Keshab, the enormity of the challenges facing AWON dawned on me. I marvelled at the courage and determination of Radha, Laxman, Keshab, Bharat and all the staff back in Kathmandu, to improve the lives of disadvantaged villages in western Nepal. I looked up the valley to see Mt Patrashi shining in the late afternoon glow and promised myself to do even more to help AWON achieve its goals.

Indeed, we were back from Rara Lake trek. We are connected with Radha and Karnali by Mr. Popular Gentle, Vice President of Action Works Nepal, is doing his PhD in the same university where I teach.

( Jo is is an International Advisor for Action Works Nepal and Coordinator for AWON's support group in Australia. She herself  teaches yoga every week end and raise fund for AWON ).

My journey to the ‘World of Unknown’ Jumla by Tuka Sandwell

Radha Paudel a  Nurse who dedicated her life to improve the life of poor and marginalized people of a remote region of Nepal and  the founder president of Action Works of Nepal who kindly accepted to implement our project ‘Birthing Centre’ in Jumla.

We (Radha and myself) flew from Nepalgunj to Jumla on 23^rd Oct, enjoying the breath taking views of mountains, pristine and unspoilt vegetation of nature. While landing in Jumla airport I personally felt like I had Switzerland on the left side of it and Grand Canyon on my right. We have got all the wonders of the natural world at Jumla yet we are so poor and underprivileged in every way. Why? it is sad and beyond my comprehension. It will improve as the time passes I suppose.

View from the plane

Our real journey began on 24th October 2013 at 8am on a Bus with unlimited numbers of passengers, heavy sacks of rice on the rough road accessible only in dry season. Our first port of call was Sinja valley where according to historian ‘Khas Bhasa’  was originated here.  It takes about 6 hours from Jumla District  head quarter. We travelled for 7 hours but terminated our journey 45 minutes prior to the arrival at our destination. Despite the rough road and overcrowded bus we enjoyed the spectacular view of the hills and river.   

Patar khola in Jumla, when it cross Jumla border called Heema Heema Khola  

Stopped in Kalikot, neighboring district of Jumla

Children are on the way to Sinja valley, they asked for photo then smiled  

We were accompanied by the local headmaster of Sannigaun who was in the Dist headquarters for his personal commitments. He was our guide/saviour/free lodger etc in the area of unknown to us. We cross the Pathar Khola river at Sinja valley where we were joined by many local leaders of the village going back home after their political activities for the day. Our real journey began at 3pm on foot steadily climbing the hills and very steep hills until we were at our guide’s house by 7pm. Our path at night was surrounded by the hills, we were guided by the Jupiters in the clear sky and the sound of little night creatures. We eventually conquered the hill like Hillary and Tenzing did and came to the level of hills that had surrounded us a few hours ago.

Start of uphills to Sannigaun 

At this point of steep hills climbing in the dark, tired and in a hungry state of mind I thought Radha was insane and felt that I was in a state of losing insanity too. This concept of being insane was soon superseded by welcoming smile and the warm hospitality of our host who were dedicated for our comfort and well being all the time.

On 25^th we had an opportunity to invite local community leaders, teachers, political leaders and the local community. Unfortunately there were no women representatives at this crucial meeting as it is their harvesting season and every working age women were out to the field from the early morning.

Whomever we had a meeting with had a sad story to tell about the loss of their wives, daughter in law, daughters due to the complications of pregnancy and childbirth. We were moved to see their eagerness to help run the birthing centre which they felt the need for a few years but were unaware of the procedure to contact the right people/authority.

On principle the community were fully committed to make a success of the Birthing Centre but this has yet to be seen as we go through the different stages of its implementation.

Local leaders along with politicians

Following the meeting we had to rush to catch the bus back to Jumla because there is only one bus a day scheduled to leave at 10 am latest and we missed the bus.

But on the bright side we were overwhelmed by the gesture of the local people who kindly arranged the horse ride on our way back. We have to decline the offer because coming down hill was easy and we made in 70 minutes to Sinja valley.

  

 

Miteri Birthing Center 

On the whole this trip to Sannigaun was worth it because of three reasons:

• 1.   I saw and felt the harsh reality of everyday life of the people of Jumla and this reminded of my childhood life in Lamjung five decades ago, the memories of which were slowly disappearing within me.
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• 2.     I was an inspiration to local young school girls who wanted to follow my footsteps, study hard and become a nurse, serve the people and had a dream to go to the United Kingdom.
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• 3.      Relentless efforts of Radha to help and support the people of remote Jumla which takes great courage to carry out such tasks repeatedly without being disappointed.

I do have great respect for Radha for her passion of care, empathy and strong desire to complete the task with high standards and I wish her best for her to go from the strength to strength in her future ventures.

Lastly I would like to thank Radha for helping and guiding me to this journey of unknown even though I might have been hindrance at times. Radha you are true ambassador of a NURSE with all the superb qualities which Florence Nightingale stated.

Our host very cheerful and intelligent lady

I used the term ‘Journey to the unknown’ in the title because we had no communication with the world for those two days which is an extremely terrifying experience in this day and age when the whole world has seemingly become smaller with the advanced technology of communication even in Nepal.

We bid sad farewell to Sannigaun even the short time we met those people left great impact on us. Poor, hard working and deprived of basic rights but always happy and cheerful compared to us where we take every comfort of life as granted.

Radha organised a programme in Jumla to meet us all at Miteri Peace Garden (Peace Commemoration) 26^th October where she has already laid the foundation stone to build Peace Garden in the memory of all 267 people from different background ended their life during insurgency. This is a peaceful spot at the bank of Tila river with spectacular view of mountains and hills that surrounds Jumla district head quarter. Our IPP Mr Kul Acharya joined the meeting and kindly donated Rs 100,000.00. towards Peace Garden project where I had already donated £ 200 and raised £ 300 by selling  Radha’s book `Khalangama Hamala’, a WAR memoir, in UK  for this project. The royalty (10%) against this book has already committed  for same Peace Garden by Radha and I will be with Radha's mission as usual.

Fund raising programme is ongoing to build a building at Peace Garden with the facility of Conference hall, library, classroom for local children, guest house and meditation room. Anyone interested to donate please contact Action Works at: actionworksnepal.awon10@gmail.com or Radha at: rpaudel456@gmail.com

Miteri Peace Garden Jumla

Proactive local ladies from Jumla who wants the best of everything for Jumla.