 |
| This photo from Achham, by Deuma Bhat |
 |
| New style of shed, at Achham, by Deuma Bhat |
Demolish of
Menstrual Sheds:
The term of Chhaupadi is started to occupy in development
discourse specially in health along with the pilot projects on Safe Motherhood
about two decades before. Unfortunately, it is only confined with childbirth,
safe mother and safe new born baby but not connected with menstruation at all.
During a peak timing of Maoist Insurgency, Chhaupadi considered a harmful
practice so they imposed either demolish sheds or stop to follow it in their
pocket areas. Villagers tried to follow them due to fear where Maoist
representatives dense.
For a decade followed by Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA),
the Open Defecation Free (ODF) is introduced in government along with many other
actors and working so hard. The villages and districts are contested to declare
ODF among themselves. ODF actors endorsed menstrual hygiene celebration since
2014, when UN, Human Right Council (2014) declared that the menstrual
restrictions is key barrier for gender equality. In line with international progress,
the news popped up around demolish and declaration of Chhaupadi specially in
west Nepal e.g. the 31 villages has declared Chhaupadi free community till
November 2016.
Re-Practicing and
Re-building
A faith healer, participant of my training in Jumla 2014,
stood up and challenged by sharing a story; 'I understand all why were you
saying but it is not possible, my neighbour was underground during Maoist
insurgency, he demolished his shed and forced to demolish of many of us. Just,
few weeks before, he has done a worship for purifying all badness, guilty,
contamination due to menstruation and started the Chhaupadi practice. If you do
not trust, let's make visit.'
In December 2016, a 15 years girl found dead inside the shed
due to suffocation at Gagra Village, Achham which is one of the Chhaupadi free
community already. About a three weeks later, another 21 years mother found
dead again due to same reason.
The women are using demolished sheds and rebuilding during
menstruation in Lagam village, Surkhet reported in July 12, 2017 whereas this
village declared as Chhaupadi free community in April 2014. The condition is
same in Achham and other many districts in west Nepal.
In Dailekh, within a month (June-July, 2017), Lainchaur
village lost two girls (Tulasha Shai, 19 years and 14 years Lalsara BK) due to
snake bite in shed during menstruation. Their family and neighbours still saying, ''
We will continue the Chhaupadi practice, do not care for life because we do
care god. I prepared food during my period but my neck got stiff then recovered
from DhamiJhakri.''
Reason behind Re_Practing
and Re_Building Sheds for Menstruation:
The key reason behind re-practicing and re-building the
menstrual sheds or huts or segregation is ignorance that is fuelled by
tradition or religion. Centuries before, when people segregated girls and women
it could be the reason of not having any knowledge on menstruation, no skills
and materials for managing blood. There only one hope was god and religion was
only one tool to construct the society. But, today, we are living in global
village even the most remote villages at least observe mobile, tested noodles,
address mom and dad for their parents. It means narrowing and open every day.
However, no one tell them about the physiology of
menstruation, deconstruct the myths, rumours and mal-practices around
menstruation. There are more than forty types myths, rumours, false believe and
perceptions regarding to menstrual blood, women, her materials. No one
re-assess the articles of books such as Manusmirti, Chanakyaniti, Garunpuran, Rishipanchami
which are written thousands of years before by patriarchal men. In other hand,
there is no specific policy yet in place. The Chhaupadi guideline (2008) is not
allowing to punish anyone.
The informal learning is so strong than formal education.
Usually a person started to observe and download the information form their
parents and surroundings since childhood. Many of us amazed and puzzled by
seeing our surroundings and existence and some of us considered as constructed
by god or supernatural power or nature. Those who strongly believe on religion
or god, they have very hard to demolish sheds and abolish all forms of
restrictions. Because the menstruation is heavily overlooked everywhere, no one
like to initiate dialogue. More importantly, the Nepali society is very close
specially for women. Even the government representatives and NGO workers who
are in frontline for menstrual rights neither they have adequate knowledge and
skills, nor confidence. The school teacher, health worker, priest, faith healers,
NGO workers, political leaders all are practicing at the name of culture or
religion or god. They possess the most power in the community so villagers who
do not practice at their private life e.g. Limbu or anyone should follow
restrictions during menstruation just for a prestige and solidarity. In this
scenario, re-practicing and re-building sheds is not new at all. It is all
ignorance as well as means for suppression, depression, domination, oppression
of people rather liberates and empowers for their sake.
No Need to
Demolish sheds:
In my experience, the acceptance and application of
knowledge and skills is more faster among never school going people than
educated people (de-learning is always challenging). Once the villagers
understand themselves, their bodily and civic rights, human rights, gender,
only two options would have with villagers through the participatory exercises.
They are; living as like cattle or human being. More importantly, I love to
share food, bed, at their respective village. An individual usually transforms
at his/her personal level after at least four hours discussion. But it is
challenging to transform family and community because that person does not have
confident to challenge with parents, grandparents and others due to power
structure as well as knowledge. Thus, we need at least three follow up sessions
to expand the circle of transformation where six to eighteen months takes place
to announce the Chhaupadi free community. This process bit time consuming, require
thick skin and commitment but so powerful where villagers empowered and lead
the process e.g. Rachuli, Kalikot. Here, we could transform Chhaupadi of an
individual from her/his soul and heart not physically. I do not understand why
do campaigners demolishing the sheds. There are many ways to use sheds such as
store room, pilling of firewood or hay or anything in village. Let's respect the science and enjoy with
nature with pride. Menstruation is just NOT women's issue, it is everyone's
business because of human right.
NB: I have forwarded to Kathmandu post.
