Description
Background:
Chhaupadi, an ancient menstrual seclusion practice in Nepal, poses a significant challenge to the country's progress towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Despite positive demographic indicators and advancements in education and life expectancy, Chhaupadi persists, particularly in the face of Nepal's vulnerability to climate change. This extreme form of menstrual restriction forces women and girls into unhealthy and perilous spaces, exacerbating existing challenges in the wake of shifting climate patterns. Likewise, Nepal, grappling with climate change, witnesses women in Chhaupadi facing additional hardships such as droughts and landslides. The practice hampers menstrual hygiene management, amplifying the vulnerability of women to climate-related disasters. As the climate crisis intensifies, the adverse impact on women subjected to Chhaupadi becomes intertwined with broader issues of climate justice.
Methods:
Data was based on the Nepal Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (NMICS) 2019, a publicly available dataset from UNICEF MICS (http://mics.unicef.org/surveys). The study was limited to 1117 women in Sudur Paschim Province of Nepal. Chi-square, Bivariate, and Multivariable logistic regression were applied to show the association between variables
Findings:
Regarding the background characteristics of women, more than half of the women (55%) were aged 15-29 years and the majority of the women were from the lowest wealth quintiles. Study findings reveal that a significant portion of women in the far western region of Nepal still adhere to menstrual restrictions. While 94 percent of respondents avoid performing religious activities during menstruation, over half of them follow restrictions like eating in a separate place (72%) and staying in a separate room (60%). Additionally, two-thirds of women are restricted from participating in social gatherings during their menstrual periods, and 14 percent are kept away from school. Chhaupadi, the extreme form of menstrual seclusion, is still practiced by 17.4 percent of women, despite its criminalization since 2005. The analysis of women's background characteristics showed that younger women (15-29 years) practiced Chhaupadi less frequently (17%) compared to older women (45 years and above) at 21 percent. Logistic regression further confirmed that women with no education level (OR=2.36), those living in rural areas (OR=2.04) and those belonging to the lowest wealth quintiles (OR=4.24) were significantly more likely to practice Chhaupadi. The findings illuminate the inter-sectionality of menstrual restrictions, climate change impacts, and socio-economic disparities. Women practicing Chhaupadi, especially in rural areas, face heightened challenges during climate-related disasters, emphasizing the urgent need to integrate climate justice into efforts addressing menstrual restrictions.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Chhaupadi and other menstrual restrictions remain deeply entrenched in Nepal, impeding women's rights, education, and societal participation. Access to clean water and safe period products during disasters is crucial, yet Chhaupadi obstructs these essential provisions. The multi-sectoral approach should explicitly incorporate climate resilience strategies, recognizing the complex connection between menstrual restrictions, gender equity, and climate justice. Addressing Chhaupadi is not only a matter of human rights but a vital step toward building climate-resilient communities in Nepal.
Keywords: Chhaupadi, Menstruation, Climate Change, Demographics, Nepal.
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