Final Evaluation: “Abolition of Chhaupadi in the Far- and Mid-Western Regions of Nepal”

Grantee: Restless Development Nepal

Country: Nepal

Period: January 2015 to December 2017

Grant amount: USD417,880

Description: The project focused on influencing community leaders and putting pressure on national and local government bodies to take action to end chhaupadi practices (which include forcing women and girls to sleep in a hut during menstruation). It also aimed to empower young people and strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations to act against chhaupadi practices. The overall goal was to reduce the incidence of chhaupadi and improve nutrition and health, social support and access to education during menstruation for women and girls in two regions of Nepal.

Main findings of the evaluation:

• The project exceeded its target of reaching 28,000 women and girls, reaching 45,990 women and girls;
• The project reduced the proportion of women and girls sleeping in a chhaupadi hut (from 19.4 per cent to 5.5 per cent);
• Far fewer women and girls (aged 15-49) were reporting that they had restricted access to dairy products during menstruation;
• All the male community leaders believed that chhaupadi practices should be eliminated (as against 71 per cent before the project). 

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