Untouchability is a superstition. It is an obstacle to human progress, especially women. The women of Tila Rural Municipality Ward No. 1 to 9 raised their hands in solidarity and pledged not to follow the custom of untouchability; that they shall not accept the custom of discrimination and so-called untouchability among two human beings. The local women decided to make their ward free from untouchability. Menstruation is a he
alth and physical condition in women. The local women have resolved to make all rural villages free from the practice of untouchability. This resolution of the local women is a strong foundation to end the deep-rooted ill custom for centuries. “We do not believe in the untouchability and we will not sit in a shed during menstruation” the women vowed. This proclamation to live safely at home during menstruation is an example of ending discrimination in society. It has a direct impact on the well-being of all women and thus the entire family. Now the women of the rural areas have joined the campaign to end the practice of untouchabillity.
There is a superstition that women should not touch anything in the house when they are having a menstruation period. At such times, women are placed in the ‘ChooiKudi’ built a little away from the house and in the cattle shed. They are deprived of nutritious food. There is a lack of necessary care and rest. Because of this, women become very weak and unhealthy. They are unsecured [often there are cases of rape and instances of molest when they are forced to stay in the shed alone at night], and prone to infection.
During the menstruation period, no one is supposed to touch them and they should live separately from their families. It is a cultural practice that has been used to oppress women since ancient times. This tradition is prevalent throughout the country in some form. This custom exists in more than two dozen districts including Jumla, Kalikot, Dailekh, Dolpa, Bajhang, Achham and Bajura, which are mostly located in the central and far western Nepal. The women living in this area are worried about their menstruation and having to live in the shed. Especially the women from Bahun, Chhetri, Magar, Thakuri families are victim of this tradition the most. There is a superstition that if a woman eats curd, milk and touches the house utensils, the deity gets angry. During the menstruation period and pregnancy women need to be kept clean and fed plenty of nutritious food, however, daughters and daughters-in-laws, do not eat cow’s milk when they are menstruating. There is a superstition that if they drink milk of cow or buffalo reared at home, they will stop giving milk.
In the recent times, various social organizations have started a movement to end the custom of untouchability. Women have started to become aware of the untouchability practice. They are advocating to live safely inside their house during menstruation. Sarbodaya Nepal Jumla has been striding to end the practice of untouchability in Tila, Tatopani, gruthichaur and Patarasi Rural Municipality of Jumla. The women of Jumla have been successful in developing a consensus that women should stay at their homes during their menstruation period. Durga Banjade, the present Chief District Officer in Jumla, started a campaign to end the untouchability practice. He appointed an ambassador in every rural municipality to end the custom. Traditional healers [locally referred to as Dhamijhankri], social leaders, media workers, and social workers were all consulted. He also organized a mass ceremony [Maha Yagya] at the district to end this ill practice. This initiative from the government level, encouraged the women to end the custom of untouchability. The custom is so much deep rooted that women who have been touched by menstruating women is considered impure. To rectify this, if they are touched gold dipped water is sprinkled to the person who touched the menstruating women.
It is believed that if women are touched when they are in a period according to th
e traditional belief since ancient times, the family deity will get angry and the family will suffer loss, their body will dry up, and the crops will not grow. But this is a superstition. Women in rural areas have initiated a campaign to uproot the superstition. This initiative of local women is indeed appreciable. Younger girls have started to discuss with elders and guardians about the social, mental and physical problems during menstruation. Light and nutritious food is recommended during the menstruation period. A lot of rest is necessary.
This initiative from the local women has had a positive impact on the society. Untouchability is like a kind of violence. It is a product of the patriarchal thinking that women should not excel in society in any way. To end the untouchability system, it is necessary to change the behavior and action of people. This campaign started by Tila Rural Municipality and Sarbodaya Nepal Jumla is very relevant but it is necessary to facilitate the end of the custom by monitoring in the society. In the name of the Government of Nepal, the honorable Supreme Court ruled against the discriminatory practices like Chhaupadi (Untouchability) practice on 2 May 2005.