Nepal strengthens laws against dowry, menstrual exile
Aug 10, 2017
Nepal has strengthened laws against demanding dowry payments and exiling menstruating women in an effort to improve women's safety and equality
KATHMANDU, Nepal — Nepal's parliament has passed a bill toward making women safer by strengthening laws against acid attacks along with the ancient Hindu customs of demanding dowry payments for marriage and exiling women who are menstruating.
The new law goes into effect in August 2018, with violators who force women into exile facing punishments of up to three months in jail or a fine of 3,000 Nepalese rupees, or about $29.
Many menstruating women are still forced to leave their homes and take shelter in unhygienic or insecure huts or cow sheds until their cycle ends, though the practice — called Chhaupadi — was actually outlawed a decade ago. But without any assigned penalties, the custom continued in many parts of the majority Hindu Himalayan country, especially in the western hills.
While exiled in isolation, some women face bitter cold or attacks by wild animals. Unclean conditions can also cause infections.
"People will be discouraged to follow this discriminatory custom due to fear of punishment" now that the new bill is passed, said lawmaker Krishna Bhakta Pokhrel from the committee that drafted the bill.
But a female parliamentarian from the far-western district of Doti, where menstrual exile is still practiced, said the legislation passed Wednesday alone would not be enough, and the government should also invest in educating women on good hygiene.
"Fear of punishment will not stop people from following this custom who think women are impure during menstruation," Gauri Kumari Oli told the Associated Press on Thursday. "The government and non-governmental agencies should start to do more to raise awareness."
She herself was made to observe the custom, albeit not so strictly, she said.
"Like it happens elsewhere in Nepal, I was asked not to enter inside the temple or the kitchen," she said. "But I never had to go to sleep in shed."
The legislation was part of an ongoing effort to improve the country's laws, and also criminalizes other deep-rooted customs that harm women, including slavery, acid attacks and the dowry system, by which a woman's family must secure her marriage prospects by paying the groom and his family.
MORE NEWS
Why the PLA’s Z-10 attack helicopter is taking a bigger role at sea
Built to hunt tanks and support ground troops, the People’s Liberation Army’s main attack helicopter is increasingly being prepared for operations at sea. Crews of the Z-10 are training to fly from ships – a shift that could give Beijing extra firepower in an amphibious assault on Taiwan. Manufactured by AVIC subsidiary the Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation, the Z-10 entered service with the PLA Army in late 2010. It began documented shipboard trials in 2014, when Chinese navy imagery...
Anant Kumar Singh won't support Neeraj Kumar, but won't speak against him either: Rajiv Ranjan Singh
Union minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh has mediated a dispute between JD(U) MLA Anant Kumar Singh and MLC Neeraj Kumar. Singh has agreed not to publicly criticise Kumar, despite his grievances regarding past party actions. Lalan noted that Singh remains unwilling to support Kumar in the upcoming election. Neeraj Kumar filed his nomination for re-election amid ongoing tensions in the party.
"Modified Form 6 not approved by us": CJI observes on modified form for enrolling new voters
The Supreme Court asserted that it has not approved any modified version of Form 6 for voter enrollment. During a hearing, Chief Justice Surya Kant emphasized the importance of verifying who modified the form. Allegations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar were also discussed, claiming he misrepresented court proceedings. The petition argued that the Election Commission's decisions should be made collectively, not unilaterally.
"Modified Form 6 not approved by us": CJI observes on modified form for enrolling new voters
The Supreme Court asserted that it has not approved any modified version of Form 6 for voter enrollment. During a hearing, Chief Justice Surya Kant emphasized the importance of verifying who modified the form. Allegations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar were also discussed, claiming he misrepresented court proceedings. The petition argued that the Election Commission's decisions should be made collectively, not unilaterally.
India, Switzerland sign migration pact, expand trade, investment and defence ties
India and Switzerland have signed a migration and mobility partnership pact and expanded market access for Indian exports. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Swiss President Guy Parmelin discussed deepening cooperation in nuclear energy and defence. Both nations aim to boost bilateral trade and investment ties following the recent Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement. New opportunities will also emerge for Indian students and professionals in Switzerland through the agreements.
India, Switzerland sign migration pact, expand trade, investment and defence ties
India and Switzerland have signed a migration and mobility partnership pact and expanded market access for Indian exports. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Swiss President Guy Parmelin discussed deepening cooperation in nuclear energy and defence. Both nations aim to boost bilateral trade and investment ties following the recent Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement. New opportunities will also emerge for Indian students and professionals in Switzerland through the agreements.
BJP names 8 candidates for Uttar Pradesh Rajya Sabha polls
On October 5, BJP's Central Election Committee announced eight candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. These candidates include Dharmpal Singh, Radhakant Ojha, and Prakash Pal, among others. The announcement was issued through a press release from BJP's central office in New Delhi. Other named candidates are Vidyasagar Sonkar, Gopi Krishna Pandey, Priyanka Singh Rawat, Ram Pratap Singh Chauhan, and Shruti Gangwar.
GST Council may scrap arrest provisions, fast-track refunds with 90% automatic payout
The upcoming 57th GST Council meeting on October 7 is set to unveil transformative proposals that could reshape GST regulations. Key suggestions may involve the abolition of arrest clauses related to GST, simplified refund procedures for exporters, and adjustments to the prosecution threshold. Furthermore, small taxpayers could benefit from late fee waivers and quicker registration.
Brazil-China ties in focus as Bolsonaro gets election edge over Lula
Brazil is set for a presidential run-off after right-wing challenger Flavio Bolsonaro won a surprise first-round victory, threatening Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s grip on power in South America’s largest economy. Bolsonaro, son of imprisoned former president Jair Bolsonaro, took 47 per cent of the ballots in Sunday’s election, beating out Lula on 45 per cent. Brazilians will vote again on October 25 as neither candidate got the 50 per cent share needed to claim outright victory. US-China...
China’s finance minister on fiscal policy
This article was translated from Chinese into English using Alibaba’s Qwen3.7-Plus, then checked and tweaked for accuracy by a South China Morning Post journalist. It is for reference only, and is not the official English version of the original Chinese document. Alibaba owns the SCMP.
Andhra CM Naidu, deputy launch ₹30,000 crore Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 works
Since the coalition government assumed office, tap water connections have been provided to 7.44 lakh families in 4,933 habitations across the state
Bus passenger dropped off 10 km before destination at midnight, paid Rs 1,200 for an AC bus but received a non-AC one; operator ordered to pay Rs 31,500
A Visakhapatnam man booked a bus from Hyderabad to Rajahmundry, paid Rs 1,200 for an AC seat, and ended up stranded near a highway at 12:30 AM with no help in sight. Here is what happened and what the consumer forum ruled.