Kalikot, Jan. 23 -- Sixteen-year-old Sakuntala Budha abandoned Chhau, a makeshift menstrual shed, a year ago.

After observing Chhaupadi, a practice where girls and women are forced to isolate themselves inside crudely made sheds during their period, for two years she joined a group of teenage girls to campaign against Chhaupadi.

Since then, 20 teenage girls have come together to raise awareness about the evils of Chhaupadi. Inspired by their campaign, many teenage girls and women in Naraharinath have abandoned Chhaupadi.

"Our parents did not support our decision when we first began advocating against Chhaupadi. But they have come around and so have other elders in our community," said Sakuntala. "We no longer have to go to Chhau sheds....