All 10 local levels of Achham are holding rotating meetings to formulate a common strategy to eradicate the Chhaupadi practice and social evils.
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A 16-year-old girl from Panchadeval Binayak Municipality-2 in Achham was raped in her maternal uncle's chhaugoth a year ago. The incident occurred while she was in the chhaugoth during her period.
On the night of Bhadra 12, 38-year-old Nim Khanal and 7-year-old Kavita Bhandari, who were sleeping under a tarpaulin in a chhaugoth barn in Barala in Panchadeval Binayak Municipality-8, were killed by a stone. After the chhaugoth was demolished, they were forced to live under tarpaulin as there was no alternative to safe accommodation.
These are just a few representative incidents from Achham, which present a frightening picture of the social and human development here due to the chhaugoth practice. According to the data from the District Police Office, 20 women and girls have lost their lives in Achham alone due to the chhaugoth practice since 2063. All 10 local levels of Achham are now standing on a single platform to eradicate such incidents and social evils that are being carried out in a chain.
The mayors, deputy mayors, administrative officers and stakeholders of 4 municipalities and 6 rural municipalities of the district have started exchanging experiences by holding 'touring meetings' with the aim of exchanging experiences and formulating a common strategy.
The fifth tour meeting was held in Panchadeval Binayak Municipality on Monday. This new practice, which started from Kamalbazar Municipality, is now reaching Bannigadhi Jayagarh via Dhakari, Turmakhand and Chaurpati. This campaign has reached 5 out of 10 municipalities. Now it has been decided to hold meetings in the remaining 5 municipalities as well.
At the meeting held at Panchadeval Vinayak, Mayor Ambika Chalaune handed over the meeting booklet to Bannigadhi Jayagarh Rural Municipality Chairman Tek Bahadur Saund for the continuation of the campaign. ‘It is impossible for one municipality to end social evils by making efforts alone, so we have made a common resolution with all 10 local levels,’ said Mayor Chalaune. ‘Our goal is not just to connect geography, but to keep women and girls safe inside their homes by breaking down the superstitions in society. We have shown the practices and challenges of Panchadeval Vinayak to the heads of other municipalities, so that it will be easier for them to work.’
The main feature of this campaign is learning exchange. The host municipality presents the work done in the areas of social sector development, evils reduction and good governance. Representatives of other municipalities have been observing those works directly and discussing the challenges faced in their municipalities.
Earlier, the first meeting held in Kamalbazar Municipality in Asoj had announced that health, education, sanitation and safe housing would be given priority. The municipality has stated that work is being done as per the announcement. Kamalbazar Mayor Yagya Prasad Dhakal said, ‘We have started the campaign by forming various mechanisms from ward to tole level to end the Chhaupadi system.’
The formation of the Social Sector Development Director and Coordination Committee at the district level has further institutionalized this campaign. Chief District Officer Yagya Bahadur Budha said that the concept of this meeting has made the local level more responsible. ‘Our main objective is to end all types of discrimination on the basis of menstruation and encourage decent menstrual practices,’ he said. ‘When the heads of all municipalities sit together, it has become easier to make policy decisions and implement them simultaneously across the district.’
Even though the government has launched a campaign to demolish Chhaugoth from time to time, women are forced to live under shelters and tarpaulins as ‘superstition’ has not been removed.’ ‘Issues such as Chhaugothi will not be effective if initiated by a local level alone, for this, all municipalities in the district have to stand together and run a campaign,’ said Danmati Bam Shahi, deputy head of the District Coordination Committee. ‘A new culture has begun in the district. It is necessary to continue this.’ The sixth rotating meeting has been decided to be held in Bannigadhi Jayagarh Rural Municipality. Taking charge of the meeting, Rural Municipality Chairman Saund committed to presenting the social reform work done by his municipality in the upcoming meeting.
