Kathmandu, Dec. 6 -- Menstruation in Nepal has become synonymous with chhaupadi, the tradition of banishing women to cowsheds for five days during their periods. The practice is infamous in western Nepal - where another segregated woman died in Achham district this week - but the belief that a menstruating woman is dirty, impure and untouchable is pervasive country-wide.
Nepal is one among many countries globally to consider menstruation a taboo. The topic is spoken about in hush-hush tones and only among women who are on intimate terms - but one activist is fighting such attitudes.
"Menstruation is not private business, it is everyone's business," says Radha Paudel, who has been working to abolish the menstrual taboo for almost 40 years...