Historically, some Hindus view menstruating girls and women as impure and untouchable. Therefore women that are menstruating and those that just give birth are forced to stay in a hut or shed outside their homes. This is practised and the ancient practice is called chhaupadi.
In a latest development, a 16-year-old girl has reportedly died due to a snake bite in western Nepal after she was forced to stay in a hut outside her home during her period.
The teenager was bitten by a snake on Tuesday while she was sleeping in the outbuilding in Pancheshwar, Baitadi district, in Sudurpashchim province, according to The Kathmandu Post.
“The girl was sleeping outside her house in a shed during her menstrual cycle when the incident occurred,” Bina Bhatt, vice chair of the rural municipality, reportedly told the newspaper.
Though the Nepalese government had in August 2017 passed a legislation banning the centuries-old custom that banishes females from their communities during menstruation and after childbirth. However, the practice still prevails in many areas – even though it is punishable by up to three months in prison and/or a fine of 3,000 Nepali rupees (£20), ValidViewNetwork reports.