Girl, 16, dies from snake bite in hut she was forced to sleep in during her menstruating period

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.

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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.