In the past, the girls were not allowed to touch textbook or go to school during menstruation as textbook was considered to be a manifestation of Goddess Saraswati, and school to be a temple. Consequently, touching a textbook or going to school during menstruation was believed to invite the wrath of gods, according to Chandra Rana, a student. [break]
“But these days, these beliefs are no longer held,” she added.
According to Chandra, girls are no longer required to live in sheds during menstruation, and are allowed to stay at home. “But they are still not allowed to enter the kitchen,” she said.
Pinki Sarki of Ranagaun-5 said that the practice requiring girls to live in sheds during menstruation has become unpopular as it put the girls at the mercy of snakes and also invited criminal activities.
Meanwhile, the belief that teachers should not touch menstruating girls is also dying, according to Lokendra Bahadur Shahi, a local.
Also, female teachers who were not allowed to go to schools for four days during menstruation are no longer required these days to follow such practice, said Meena Bhandari, who teaches at Maglek Secondary School.
“Such practice was violence against women. It has to be completely gotten rid of,” she added.
Changes are also being seen at Chudi village of Pachnali VDC, where women are no longer required to live in sheds during menstruation.
“Until five to seven years ago, girls and women were required to live in sheds during menstruation. They could come out only after everyone at home was asleep,” said Pushpa Fulala of the village. “With social changes, this practice has vanished,” she added.
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