27 December 2019, Doti
The district administration office in the district has issued an order to remove chhaugoth – a hut where girls
and women during their menstruation are forced to keep outside of the family dwelling. The administration office has directed to demolish such sheds taking into account that strong action would be taken against those keeping women at sheds during menstruation.
A campaign has been positioned to dismantle the chhau sheds used for dehumanizing women during the period. The administration has requested all local levels to cooperate the attempt for removing sheds in rural areas. Though there are no chhau sheds at district headquarters, Silgadhi, the structures are still in existence in rural settings of the district.
The police administration has also commenced collecting data about chhau sheds in rural area of Doti. Due to the prevalence of such malpractice specially in the far-western region of Nepal, women have so far lost their lives. The incidents of women being raped while forced them to remain in an unpleasant place or situation in the sheds are increasing.
However, locals are dissatisfied in making concerns and concrete efforts to be taken from the sides concerned to prevent such dreadful incidents. Chetraj Bhatta, a local of Kisingh rural municipality, said chhaupadi practice is still highly prevailing in rural areas in Doti due to superstitious beliefs.
He further shared that “People still have traditional belief that the god may get angry when chhau sheds are removed from the area”. In line with the directive of Home Ministry, the district administration office took vigorous measures to demolish chhau sheds in Doti.
