In a landmark ruling for gender equality and human rights, Nepal's Supreme Court has delivered a powerful blow to a dangerous ancient tradition. The court has officially criminalised the Hindu practice of 'chhaupadi', which forces banishing women and girls to makeshift huts during their periods.
The historic decision mandates a three-month jail sentence for anyone found enforcing the ritual, alongside a fine of 3,000 Nepalese rupees (£18). This move aims to dismantle a deep-rooted social norm that has endangered women's lives for generations.
What is the Chhaupadi Ritual?
Chhaupadi is a tradition stemming from the belief that women are impure during menstruation and after childbirth. Adherents fear that their presence will bring bad luck, illness, or cause crops and livestock to die.
As a result, women are forced to sleep in rudimentary, often windowless, huts known as 'goths'. These structures are typically located far from the main family home, exposing occupants to extreme cold, smoke inhalation, animal attacks, and the threat of sexual violence.
A Long Fight for Safety and Dignity
Despite being formally outlawed by the Nepalese government in 2005 and again in 2017, the practice has persisted, particularly in remote western regions. The lack of enforcement and powerful social stigma allowed the tradition to continue underground.
This judicial intervention by the Supreme Court is being hailed by activists as a critical step from prohibition to actual prosecution. It empowers local authorities to take action and sends an unequivocal message that the practice will no longer be tolerated.
The Human Cost of Tradition
The urgent need for this ruling is underscored by tragic, preventable deaths. Numerous women and young girls have lost their lives while observing chhaupadi. Causes of death include suffocation from trying to light fires for warmth, snakebites, and attacks by wild animals in the isolated shelters.
This new law represents a significant victory for women's rights campaigners in Nepal and a major stride toward ending a practice that has long compromised the health, safety, and dignity of countless women.
