KATHMANDU, June 23: The government has come up with planned programs to end Chhaupadi, a practice that banishes women during their period or post-natal state from the home. This practice pervasive in the mid and far-western Nepal remains a social taboo and a harmful practice against women. Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens, Tham Maya Thapa, said the issue had been incorporated in the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Underlining the need of increasing social awareness to undo the practice, the minister said though budget allocated for anti-Chhaupadi programs was not sufficient, the campaign would be launched with maximum people's participation to seek its meaningful effect. In her replies today to concerns raised during the deliberations on the Appropriation Bill in the House of Representative's meeting, the minister apprised the Lower House that measures would be taken from the local levels in coordination with the federal level to eliminate the ill-practice.

As said by her, all mechanism have been mobilized to ensure the effective enforcement of available laws and acts against the Chhaupadi. Long-term rehabilitation centers have been established in several provinces, targeting survivors of violence against women.

Men's networks have been constituted to seek their engagement in efforts against domestic violence and social superstitions, according to her. She went on to say that women's economic independence and empowerment programs and skill-enhancement programs had been incorporated in the budget as per the Sustainable Development Goals.

Lawmakers Prem Suwal, Ram Bahadur Bista, Dila Sangroula, Rangamati Shahi, Meena Pandey and Min Bahadur Bishwakarma demanded further clarifications from the minister in regard with the government plans against Chhaudpadi, VAW and for the protection of the child and senior citizens' rights and other related issues.

 
• government
 
• chhaupadi
 
• participation