Women in Bajura gradually stop staying in Chhaugoth during period

By Sher Bahadur Sarki,Bajura, Oct. 15: Increasing number of women of younger generation in Bajura are now giving up the traditional menstrual isolation sheds, known locally as Chhaugoth.

In the past, women of older generation used to stay in these isolated sheds, which were built far from the main house during their periods. Therefore, younger women were forced to follow suit, copying the custom of their elders and compelled to stay in the Chhaugoth.

Following the tragic and untimely deaths of several women who were forced to sleep in these sheds, the local government and administration launched a campaign to dismantle these unsafe sheds. 

As a result, women in the area have recently begun abandoning the sheds and have started staying in their homes during periods.

“Initially, I used to stay in the Chhaugoth for a long time because I knew nothing about this custom,” said Janma Pandey from Himali Rural Municipality-6. “Now, after understanding the situation, I realised it is nothing to be afraid of, and I sleep in a room at home even when I have my period."

She added, “Older women still try to make us stay in the Chhaugoth. However, we, the younger generation, are now sleeping in a room at home during our period to end this harmful practice.”

"Before, they would not even let us have yoghurt or dairy products while on our period if we stayed at home. Now, we eat all of those things right in front of them. Nothing has happened to us, nor to our livestock. This has made it absolutely clear that these old beliefs are wrong, so many women here are now staying in their home even when they are menstruating,” Pandey said.

The Chhau practice has persisted in Bajura for generations. Older women, fearing the wrath of traditional healers (Dhami-Jhankri), would never sleep at home during their periods.

In a tragic incident on January 10, 2019, in Agaunpani, Budhinanda-9, Bajura, a mother, Amba Bohara and her two sons died from smoke inhalation after making a  fire inside their Chhaugoth. The campaign to demolish the sheds began in the area shortly after this incident.

Subsequently, on January 28, 2025, the Ritha Police Post in Budhiganga Municipality-8 conducted inspections of Chhaugoths in Nuwakot, Sigada, Bhandargaun, Jhargaun, Badeda, Timada and Selapakha.

The police inspection found 29 sheds in those villages, all of which have since been demolished.

In total, around 511 Chhaugoths have been destroyed in Bajura. The demolition campaign remains ongoing. The local authorities are keeping the campaign going continually because they worry that if it were to slow down, the sheds would be rebuilt.

Govinda Bahadur Malla, Chairman of Himali Rural Municipality, explained that the local government has been running various awareness programmes to encourage women, who previously had to stay in the sheds during their period, to stay in a room at home instead.

He said, “The women of the older generation were uneducated. If they fell ill, they would rely solely on the deities. Now, most of the young women are educated. They are fully aware and look after their own health. That is why they no longer sleep in the Chhaugoth and stay in their own rooms when they are having their period.”

Chairman Malla also said that they were conducting public awareness campaigns in all wards to declare the area chau-free. He added that preparations are underway to declare the entire municipality a Chhaugoth-free zone soon.