Basanti Rokaya, 25 of Tajakot Rural municipality-3 Maspur is compelled to stay in a cowshed even after three weeks of giving birth. Rokaya shared that she is compelled to spend the night on the cold ground because her family insists she stay in a shed, fearing that staying at home after giving birth would anger the gods. She expressed her distress over not having clothes to wear or proper bedding.
Additionally, she expressed concern about how she and her child would endure the cold in the shed. She also mentioned that she is feeling unwell because of the cold and told about the risks of staying in darkness with cattles while holding her newborn baby.
Two years ago, Dudhakali Sarki from Sarkegad Rural Municipality-3, Unapani, had to stay in a shed after giving birth. Her newborn baby could not be saved from the cold and passed away five days after birth. Remembering this incident, Basanti expressed concern that she might face a similar fate, unable to guarantee her own child’s safety under similar circumstances.
Rokaya got married at a young age and became a mother early. She often experience back and lower stomach pain. She attributes these issues to the challenges of early marriage and motherhood.
Rokaya expressed that she would have to stay in the shed for another week.
Women are still kept in cowsheds after childbirth in many areas of the district. Moreover, during the postnatal period, they often cannot afford nutritious food due to their poor economic conditions. Many non-governmental organizations along with all three levels of government are actively involved in efforts to abolish the Chaupadi system and improve maternity nutrition. However, these practices have not significantly reduced.