By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu Jan. 7: Minister for Women Children and Senior Citizens Parbat Gurung Monday said that it was high time to review the measures taken to eradicate the practice of Chhaupadi, a menstrual taboo that forces women to live in isolation.
Speaking at the meeting of the Women and Social Committee under the House of Representatives to discuss the efforts and achievements made in eradication Chhaupadi system, Minister Gurung said the measures taken to end this irrational practice should be reviewed.
The root-cause of the practice should be identified and the future direction should be taken accordingly, he added.
There’s a need for changing people’s perception on menstruation, said Minister Gurung, adding, “To end this irrational practice, people must understand that menstruation is natural and dignified monthly process.”
He informed the committee that the government would introduce a comprehensive action plan, along with a clear role of the local, state and federal governments, to eradicate the ill practice.
During the meeting, chair of the committee Nirudevi Pal said the drive of demolishing chhaugoths (menstrual huts) and awareness generation should be carried out side by side.
The lawmakers asked the government to eradicate the practice completely.
The Ministry of Women Children and Senior Citizen has been preparing an action plan, which would help mobilise adolescent girls, teachers, parents, youth, leaders and civil society to end this social evil, Secretary of the Ministry Chandra Kumar Ghimire informed.
The practice of n Chhaupadi is so deep-rooted in western part of the country that women and girls during their menstruation cycle are forced to live in an isolated, damp and dark hut away from family, in absence of light and other basic amenities of life.
The practice of Chhaupadi is illegal in Nepal but still practiced by many communities in Sudurpaschim and Karnali States because menstruating girls and women are considered unclean and bringers of bad luck.
The practice was outlawed by the Supreme Court in 2005. In August, 2017, the practice was declared a criminal offence.
The government had introduced a law that stipulated a three-month jail sentence and/or Rs. 3,000 fine against those convicted of Chhaupadi crime, said Sharmila Karki, a woman activist.
Over the past decade in Sudurpaschim and Karnali States , 14 girls died in Achham and one women and two boys died in Bajura.
Government intensified the drive to demolish Chhaugoth
Of late, the government has demolished altogether 1,273 menstrual sheds. Of them, 949 of Chhugoths were destroyed in Achham, 300 in Surkhet, 17 in Dailekh, seven in Bajhang, two in Salyan and one in Jajarkot.
Prem Rai, Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs, said the government was preparing to demolish four Chhaugoths of Jajarkot.
The drive has been intensified, after the Ministry of Home Affairs issued an 8-point circular to the local authorities of 19 Chhaupadi prevalent districts, to intensify the drive against the malpractice.
The ministry has strictly directed the local units to demolish Chhaugoths, generate awareness and exclude the people, who continue to practice this social evil, from the social incentives and services they have been enjoying from the government.
The districts like, Kanchanpur, Kailali, Dadeldhura, Baitadi, Darchula, Dolpa and Rukum of the western region have no Chhaugoth.