The family of 28-year-old Kamala Aauji, who tragically died from a snake bite while staying in a chhaupadi hut in Krishnapur Municipality-1, Nigali, has received financial support from the local government.
Krishnapur Mayor Hemraj Ojha announced that the municipality’s executive committee had decided to provide Rs 50,000 in assistance to the bereaved family. “We have currently decided to support the family with Rs 50,000,” said Mayor Ojha. “We will also discuss further support for the education of her three children.”
Mayor Ojha condemned the ongoing harmful practice of chhaupadi, which forces menstruating women to stay in unsafe and isolated huts. He emphasized that such traditions must end and confirmed that the municipality has already launched a campaign to demolish all chhaupadi huts within its area.
“We have started demolishing chhaupadi huts and are also launching awareness programs to promote safe and respectful treatment of women during menstruation,” he said. “We will also withhold social security allowances, recommendations, and other services from households that continue this practice.”
Ojha further added that discussions are ongoing with the local administration to cut off electricity services to homes that refuse to demolish chhaupadi huts.
Kamala Damai lost her life last Saturday after being bitten by a snake while sleeping in a chhaupadi hut. This tragic incident has once again raised serious concerns about the deadly consequences of discriminatory cultural practices.
