Engaging men and boys against the practice of Chhaupadi in Nepal

Chhaupadi is the practice ofbanishing a woman from the family home for the duration of her menstruation (or during childbirth) because of a deepseated belief that a woman is impure while she is bleeding. The woman is forced to stay in a Chhau or cow shed (hence the name chhaupadi) for the time and subsist on dry food, mainly beaten rice and salt. She is not allowed to undertake routine activities including going to school or work, nor is she allowed to touch anyone (husband, family member or other members of the community) or anything (including trees or cows). This case study looks at how to engage men and boys in stopping the practice.