Local level’s diktat: Dismantle Chhaugoth within two weeks

Dodhara Chandani (Kanchanpur), July 13: Krishnapur Municipality in the district has warned the households at the local level that they would be fined Rs 10,000 if they failed to demolish Chhaugoth, the menstrual hut, within two weeks.

Menstruating women and girls are kept at Chhaugoth, an outdoor shed. The municipality issued a notice on Sunday, mandating the pulling down of the Chhaugoth within 15 days. Disobedience will result in a fine of Rs 10,000, the notice warned. Khagendra Prasad Bhatta, Chief Administrative Officer at the municipality, shared, “We have instructed all the wards to identify and inspect the houses having Chhaugoth and demolish the structures within 15 days.”

The municipality’s warning came in response to the death of Kamala Aauji, 28, of Nilagi at ward no 1, after a snakebite while staying in a Chhaugoth during her menstruation last Saturday. Although Aauji had a proper house, she stayed in the Chhaugoth as per the superstitious practice that women and girls are required to avoid staying together with family members during menstrual time (four days) so that family deities would not be angry with them and the family.

Mohan Bahadur Basnet, chairperson of Ward no 1, reminded, “We destroyed many Chhaugoth despite facing insult and confrontation. But, much to our dismay, people continued to rebuild the Chhaugoth after they returned, demolishing them.” It is worth reminding that in 2017, the Nepal government had criminalized the centuries-old custom, the Chhau practice that keeps women and girls outside in the hut during menstruation. But the continuity of superstitious practice is taking a toll on women and girls.