Health assistant Sarita Sejuwal works at a local health post in Tila Rural Municipality-9 of Jumla district. But she is forced to vacate her house during her menstruation.
“Locals don’t come to the health post for treatment if I am there during my periods. I am not allowed to touch patients and can’t stay at home,” Sejuwal says.
Women, including many health assistants, in the far flung villages of Jumla are forced to live in Chhaupadi during their periods despite continuous campaigns to raise awareness against it.