In a small tribal village in Maharashtra, a community-led revolution aims to dispel the prevailing stigma around menstruation. The menstruation huts, once a symbol of shame, are slowly becoming a space for empowerment here.
In many parts of rural India, where traditions often dictate daily life, menstruation remains one of the most taboo topics. Only 12 percent of the 355 million menstruating women in India use sanitary napkins, while the remaining 88 percent rely on alternatives like cloth, ash and even sand.
This lack of proper menstrual protection can lead to severe health risks, including a 70 percent higher chance of reproductive tract infections. In many tribal communities menstruating women are forced into isolation, treated as untouchable and denied basic necessities.
But a quiet revolution is taking place in the small village of Channabodi in Maharashtra. The villagers are transforming their menstruation huts, locally called kurma ghar, a space once buried in shame and stigma, into a space for empowerment.
Menstruation huts, known by various names in different cultures, have long been part of many tribal villages. Menstruating women live in these small, cramped huts during their periods, isolated from the rest of the community. The huts, often smaller than cattle sheds, are situated outside the village. They lack basic sanitation and are often in deplorable conditions with flimsy roofs that leak during rains.
Women residing in these huts are treated as untouchables. Food and water are provided from a distance, and they are forbidden from going to work or school. All this takes a physical and emotional toll on them.
The consequences go far beyond discomfort. Girls like Sanjana, a 15-year-old from Channabodi, have had to miss school every month to stay in the kurma ghar. Over time, this contributes to higher dropout rates, robbing young girls of the fair chance at education.
In some cases, the practice has even resulted in deaths due to snake bites, untreated infections and other health complications. The deeply ingrained stigma is hard to break as these practices are considered sacred and necessary by many in the community.
In 2015, the National Human Rights Commission condemned the practice of confining women to menstruation huts. It also directed the Maharashtra government to put an end to this practice. But change, especially in remote, tightly-knit communities, requires more than a top-down directive. It demands a nuanced approach that considers the local customs, traditions and priorities.
Channabodi village, located deep in the Gadchiroli forest, had a unique response to this call for change. While some activists called for the outright banning of the practice, the villagers understood that such a move could backfire.
Without these huts, menstruating women would have no alternative but to remain in the wilderness, potentially facing even more danger. So the local community decided to transform the tradition from within.
As a Chief Minister Rural Development Fellow in the district I was pleased to see the men excited about this ambitious project. Rebuilding kurma ghar was no ordinary task. The aim was high – to improve the physical structure and change its purpose and meaning.
Instead of the smallest, most neglected hut in the village, the new kurma ghar was designed to be large, inclusive and multifunctional. It would serve as a shelter during menstruation and also become a central hub for women in the community.
With the help of the architectural firm Design Jatra, the villagers built the structure using sustainable, traditional methods. It was also equipped with amenities like toilets and running water.
The new kurma ghar, renamed naar samaj askana lone, meaning ‘village community women’s home,’ became a place of pride rather than shame. It could now house up to 40 women each month, giving girls like Sanjana the opportunity to stay in a safe and comfortable space.
The transformation of the kurma ghar has caused ripple effects throughout Channabodi. Health camps and awareness sessions have been organised in this space, slowly shifting attitudes about menstruation. Women who were once isolated and shunned are now part of a community centre where they can access health services, attend educational sessions and participate in cottage industry activities.
In a remarkable change, the stigma associated with touching the kurma ghar has reduced. While before, anyone who entered the kurma ghar was barred from entering the village at that time, now visitors are welcome. This counts as a significant change in the community’s behaviour.
Inspired by Channabodi’s success, the district administration is now replicating this model in other villages across Gadchiroli. The next step for the village is to establish a small library within the space and further develop livelihood opportunities for women.
The journey of the kurma ghar is far from over. In fact it has just started.
The lead image on top shows girls and young women from the village at their new kurma ghar. (Photo by Rahi Shaila Ramesh)
Rahi Shaila Ramesh is a Public Policy in Action Practitioner at Transform Rural India.
