For 2 billion women and girls worldwide, menstruation is a monthly reality yet according to the United Nations, 1 in 3 girls in South Asia know nothing about menstruation prior to beginning it.
In villages in Nepal’s far west region, menstruation takes on a different meaning. It means that women and girls are oftentimes banished to a shed, isolated from their families for the duration of their period.
This long-held practice, known as chaupadi, comes from ancient Hindu scriptures that consider secretions associated with menstruation and childbirth to be religiously “impure,” deeming women “untouchable.”
Printing articles to share with others is a breach of our terms and conditions and copyright policy. Please use the sharing options on the left side of the article. Devex Pro members may share up to 10 articles per month using the Pro share tool ( ).
About the author
Sophie Cousins
Sophie Cousins a Devex Contributor based in South Asia. She is a health journalist focused on women and girls. She was previously based between Lebanon and Iraq, focusing on refugee health and conflict. She writes for international medical journals, including The Lancet, and for international news websites such as the Guardian.