International interest

A few days ago, I got an email from an international organisation in the UK requesting me to talk about my research. I was informed that the institution was planning to conduct a seminar in the UK to discuss the chaupadi practice as an instance of violence against women. This is great news for us, as such international support for the cause will help pressure the government to eradicate this tradition. This is because, we as activists, have felt that if we raise the issue in the local and national media, the government or political parties barely listen to us. But when  INGOs or other development agencies raise the same issues, projects are formulated and the government, all of a sudden, seems to be interested to work on them. The political parties follow suit and only then does it become a national agenda. This trend is fine, as long as it helps women lead dignified lives.   

Falling wombs

In addition to chaupadi, many Nepali women suffer from Pelvic Organ Prolapse, also known as fallen womb. Health activists in Nepal have been raising this issue for a very long time and the Government of Nepal has also taken steps to treat women suffering from it. However, funds allocated to prevent this problem are insufficient. And we have been in discussion with the Ministry of Health and Population since some time about strong measures that can help prevent organ prolapse.

A few months ago, staff from Amnesty International came to Nepal to raise the issue of organ prolapse as a women's right issue. The organisation had done its homework by visiting remote parts of the country, held discussions with women in Karnali and the Far West as well as with many local organisations that are working on women health issues. Through this, the organisation had concluded that fallen womb is a maternal health crisis in Nepal.

Amnesty International has long been involved in human rights issues and raised its voice against violence and torture. And it is often assumed that if issues are discussed by Amnesty International, it cannot be ignored by the government. Though the organisation has taken a long time to work on the issue of women's health, it is better late than never. But before it came into the picture, many community-based organisations, health-workers and activists had been trying to help women who suffer from this debilitating pain. With constant advocacy and the help of the media, many national organisations continued to campaign for this as a maternal health issue. Only then, did the Ministry of Health and Population listen and form a plan to provide funds for operations for women who suffered from uterine prolapse.

Complementing local efforts

But no funds were provided for the prevention of this problem or monitoring and evaluation after the surgical procedure. Some doctors conducted as many as 30 hysterectomies (removal of the uterus) in one day. The quality of service was compromised and many women had to suffer more, cursing the day they were operated on. Health activists once again raised their voices against this low quality operation; they wrote, spoke and lobbied with the government. The Health Ministry had to make plans for a better operation.

After conducting a field study and going through some government policies,  International Amnesty argued that the Government of Nepal's failure to effectively address gender-based discrimination is a human rights violation in itself. It stated that “...discrimination experienced by many women and girls limits their ability to make informed decisions about sexuality and reproduction and to control their exposure to the risk factors...” We  hope that Amnesty International joining the fight against uterine prolapse will lend support to the efforts of local health rights activists.

Dr Uprety is a nutritionist