Even during the 21st century, menstruation is considered taboo. Women are made to follow bizarre rules such as not cooking in the kitchen, not going out, restrictions on going to the temple and/or performing pooja, washing hair and more.

Not just this, they are also asked not to consume sour food items like curd, pickles, lemon, etc. Similar to such restrictions, there is a custom in Nepal that women were to stay in “menstrual huts” when they are on their periods. Though it is illegal, it still exists. Let’s find out why.

What Are Menstrual Huts?

Menstruating huts are basically temporary settlements made using mud, sticks, straws, and more and are known as “chhaupadi”. These are quite unsafe for women as they came them prone to health hazards.

Menstruation huts

Also, as they are temporary settlements, they are easy to vandalize and access, hence women staying inside them are disposed to insect bites, suffocation, sexual abuse, and much more.

Though the statistics aren’t exact, in the last 13 years, approximately 15 deaths of women have been recorded who have died in menstrual huts due to lack of facilities and being prone to various threats. It must be reminded that these are the numbers that have been reported.

Banned But Still Present

What is unfortunate to see is that even though the Nepal government banned menstrual huts in 2005 and criminalized them in 2017, these huts still exist. Around 77% of women in Nepal have to “quarantine” in these huts when on their periods.

Also, when these huts are discarded by the government, the family members force the menstruating women to sleep outside the house, or in cowsheds and beside animals!

From mothers, and sisters to wives, men of the house don’t allow menstruating women to sleep peacefully in the house premises and ask them to sleep outside as they are considered “impure” by them.

These huts still exist because it is deeply rooted in the minds of men and women that menstruating makes women impure and hence, there is no place for them inside the houses.


Also Read: ResearchED: South India Celebrates The Onset Of Menstruation In Girls


Government officials have given incentives and activists have also tried to help these women by spreading awareness around the issue, however, all of this isn’t sufficient because women themselves are not ready to budge.

Women feel that if they try to abandon the age-old practice they will be tortured or socially outcasted. They also believe that if they don’t follow the practice, they might offend the supernatural.

Jennifer Thomson, a lecturer at the University of Bath said that deserting this practice hasn’t been easy because “We found that arresting somebody is a quick and easy measure, but changing attitudes, changing mindsets, changing practices, is going to take years.”

Experiences Of Women

A girl while interacting said that she didn’t have wholesome food for the past four days as this 12-year-old girl was asked to leave her home when her periods started and was made to sleep in an uncomfortable hut near her home.

Menstruation huts are small, uncomfortable, and can be easily vandalized

Another 18-year-old girl decided to take a stand against the practice and refused to go to the menstrual hut. She said, “I had a severe period cramp, and I begged my mother to let me sleep in my room. But she refused and wanted me to go to the chhau goth. Then I started protesting and told her that I would leave the house then and there. From that day on, I haven’t had to sleep outside.”

Many women have also complained that they aren’t allowed to go to school when on their periods and hence, they have to miss out on their studies for a period of four to five days based on the duration of their periods. 

It is sad that even in modern society, women are made to follow such practices while they are menstruating. It isn’t hygienic and safe, and hence, strong steps must be taken so that this practice reaches its end. 


Image Credits: Google Images

Feature image designed by Saudamini Seth

Sources: Hindustan Times, Feminism in India, NPR

Find the blogger: Palak Dogra 

This post is tagged under: menstruation, periods, period huts, menstruation huts, huts, Nepal, women, girls, menstruation in girls

Disclaimer: We do not hold any right, copyright over any of the images used, these have been taken from Google. In case of credits or removal, the owner may kindly mail us.


Other Recommendations: 

‘Periods Are Icky’ – Oscar Judge Who Refused To Vote For Indian Film Based On Menstruation

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here