Teenage girl dies of snakebite in Chhaupadi hut

By Gokarna Dayal,Baitadi, Aug. 10: A teenage girl died of snakebite in a Chhaugoth (menstrual hut) at Phyauli, Pancheshwor Rural Municipality-4 in Baitadi district. 

Sixteen-year-old Anita Chand died on Wednesday morning after she was bitten by a snake while banished to a menstrual shed because she was menstruating. 

Chand was bitten by a venomous snake on Tuesday night and died on Wednesday morning, said rural municipality vice chair Bina Bhatta. 

The incident happened while the victim was asleep at the Chhaugoth. 

The victim was studying in grade 10 at Jawalpur High School, Sailoda, said a local, Birendra Chand.

According to him, her father is currently working in India. 

Chhaupadi is a deeply-rooted custom prevalent in the western regions of the country. In this custom, women who are menstruating or in the postpartum period and kept in a secluded place away from their house as they are considered impure and untouchable. 

Six years ago, Nepal enacted a law criminalising Chhaupadi, the centuries-old custom of banishing women from the home during menstruation. However, the act has been limited only to papers.

Despite the law, women of Sudurpaschim and Karnali Provinces are still expected to stay separate or in the sheds and follow the restrictions during their monthly cycle.

Although the Civil and Criminal Code has banned the practice of Chhaupadi, the situation remains almost the same today. Most of the menstruating women of the region are still forcefully banished to the Chhaugoth.

Clause 168 (3) of the Criminal Code has a provision that anyone compelling a woman to live in the shed will have to serve three months of jail term in addition to Rs. 3,000 in fine. 

The penalty is even double for those holding public positions. 

Section 169 of the criminal code also includes a provision that involves providing compensation for the emotional harm and distress resulting from the actions of the individual who commits such offense.