Women here still live in isolation during menstruation

The menstruating women are made to stay in isolation during their monthly periods, outside the colony at Gollarahatti in Shettihalli in Kadur taluk.

Gollarahatti comprises of 60 families belonging to Golla community. Several menstruating women sit outside the colony due to a religious belief that the Gods will be displeased if women live within the house during their monthly periods.

In the olden days, such women were confined to a separate hut constructed with leaves, meant for the purpose.

Some families discontinued this practice after the Backward Class Welfare Department sensitised the residents in Gollarahatti through awareness programmes.

But the practice is still alive among a few families. Recently, video footage showing women sitting outside the colony had gone viral on social media. In the video clip, women were seen sitting outside the colony for three days, in biting cold. The superstitious practice drew a lot of criticism on social media.

Interestingly, the local Tangalu Gram Panchayat had constructed a separate room in Gollarahatti for women to stay during their monthly periods. However, few women did not opt to use the room.

More men have been supporting the superstitious practice rather than women, said Shettihalli resident Mallikarjun and added that the religious belief should not lead to inhuman practice.

Chikkamagaluru ZP CEO Satyabhama visited Gollarahatti on Monday and created awareness among the residents.

Speaking to villagers, the CEO stressed the need for protection of women. Traditional rituals should not be practised in a way that they make women vulnerable to risks, she said and added that keeping menstruating women in isolation and making them stay outside the village is inhumane.

The women of Gollarahatti promised Satyabhama that they will observe the practice symbolically within their houses.

Taluk Panchayat executive officer Dr Devaraja Naika and social welfare officer Shankarappa were present among others.