Shamans object to taboos related to menstruation

Dhangadi, July 23:  The shamans of Sudurpaschim Province have come to a conclusion that menstruating women are not untouchable and taboos and stigmas surrounding menstruation should come to an end. 

The shamans concluded this during the ongoing three-day ‘Conference of Shaman for Dignified Menstruation’ that began on Thursday in Dhangadhi. They claimed that there is no problem even if they visit temples or offer prayers during their periods.

In the province, menstruating women are considered impure and they are even banished from their family home to isolated huts called “Chhaupadi”, exposing them to a host of health risks. This deeply rooted tradition has restricted women’s mobility and participation in normal activities during their menstruation. They are not allowed to visit temples and are even banned from taking nutritious foods like fruits and dairy products. 

But things are changing for the better.

“The discussion was eye-opening for us. We have been following irrational traditions for so long. So, we have decided to end this practice,” said Shaman Mansingh Nepali of Chayanath Rara Municipality of Mugu district. 

Shaman Devraj Joshi of Badimalika Municipality-2 of Bajura said that the restrictions on menstruating girls or women in the Sudurpaschim region have been affecting their mental and physical wellbeing.   

Joshi said from now onwards he would not treat anyone in a different way just because someone is menstruating or just because someone is from the Dalit community. “I will not prohibit menstruating women or Dalits from entering the temple.” He also expressed his belief that shamans of the regions would follow in his footsteps. Menstruating women and people of the Dalit community are being treated as untouchables and are prohibited from entering the temple. 

Locals also avoid eating foods touched by them considering them impure.  

Bimala Thapa, 18, of Baimalika Municipality said that her period started when she was 14 years old. Like other women and girls of the village, she had stayed in a menstrual shed for seven days during her monthly cycle.

She, however, convinced her family and has been able to stay inside her house during her menstrual cycle. Narrating the ordeal of her old days, Thapa said in the beginning, it was difficult for her to go to school during her periods because there were no sanitary pads. She used to wear 3-4 pajamas to stop period blood from leaking and to ensure it doesn’t stain her skirt. 

The situation has changed now. The sanitary pads are now available in the school and colleges, making life easy for many girls like her, who used to skip classes just because they didn’t have pads to wear. 

However, many adolescent girls still feel ashamed to ask for the sanitary pad, she added. 

She suggested that girls like her should be mobilised to spread awareness about menstruation.

In the discussion, the Deputy-mayor of Dipayal Silgadhi Municipality of Doti, Malawati Mahar, said that her municipality has taken measures to make menstruation normal. 

Social activist and former member of the Constituent Assembly, Hari Sripaili, said that shamans and girls will play an important role in making menstruation dignified. 

He pointed out the need to spread the message that God will not curse them if they sleep inside their house and eat nutritious food. 

“Every girl and woman needs to understand that God will not get angry and bring misfortune to their family if they stay inside their house and eat nutritious food during their period. The shamans and religious gurus can play pivotal roles in spreading this message because our society trusts them more than others,” said Sripali. 

Earlier, while inaugurating the opening session of the conference on Thursday, the Minister for Social Development of Sudurpaschim Province, Tek Bahadur Roka, said that the religious practice had forced society to accept such evils. 

“However, nowhere in our religious scripts has mentioned restrictions on menstruating women or the Dalit community. Such harmful practice must be stopped,” he added. 

He informed that the Ministry had made a guideline to run a campaign against Chhaupadi practice.  

He also announced that the provincial government will honour those who will carry out campaigns against such deleterious practices. 

A total of 35 Shamans from the districts of the province took part in the first-ever conference.

Devendra Shah, Health Rights Improvement Project Coordinator of Good Neighbours International Nepal, the organiser of the conference, said the conference would be concluded by issuing a declaration paper calling to make menstruation dignified.

The project has been funded by Korean International Cooperation Agency-KOICA.