South Asia | Nepal | Culture

Why It’s So Hard To Stop Women From Sleeping In A Menstrual Shed

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Every year in Nepal, women die while sleeping in a shed outside their home because they are on their period. The cause of death is often smoke inhalation from lighting a fire to stay warm. The practice, called chaupadi, is linked to Hindu beliefs around religious purity and the idea that menstruation is spiritually polluting. In much of the country, this means that a woman who is menstruating will avoid temples, prayer rooms and kitchens — places important to keep pure in the Hindu religion. In parts of the remote west, an extreme version means nights sleeping outside in a hut or she
South Asia | Nepal | Politics

Fears grow over Nepal’s ‘anti-women’ constitution

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Nepal's proposed new constitution has sparked fury from women who say their citizenship, property and other rights are being curtailed by the document designed to draw a line under centuries of inequality. Lawmakers tabled a draft in parliament in June shortly after bickering political parties struck an historic deal on the long-awaited charter, spurred to negotiation by an earthquake in March that killed more than 8,800 people. But a series of sometimes violent protests have since hit the impoverished, Himalayan nation, with activists saying the charter has failed to address a string of
South Asia | Nepal | Activism

Nepalese women in refuge camps are battling cultural taboos around periods

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It was just over a month ago today that the first devastating Nepal earthquake hit, killing thousands and leaving ruin in its wake. Almost 9,000 people died and the survivors had their lives completely altered. Many have taken refuge from dangerous buildings in camps set up outside their villages, where they’re living in crowded makeshift tents. For Nepalese women this brings with it its own set of specific problems – particularly at a certain time of the month. Traditionally, in Nepal, when women have their periods, they sleep alone – not even in the same bed
South Asia | Nepal | Society

Nepal earthquake: Indian women trekkers stranded at village

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An all-woman trekking group led by Nepalese mountaineer Tenzing Norgay's son Jamling Norgay is stranded at Tengbouche, a village in Khumjung in the Khumbu region of northeastern Nepal. Over 10 women aged between 21-25 years of age planned to summit Mt Everest to commemorate 50 years of India's first successful ascent of the peak in 1965 before the earthquake crashed their plans The women, who started the expedition on April 20, were on their way to the Everest base camp at Debouche when the earthquake occurred. They are now on their way to neighbouring Kunde village which is less than 25