On Aug. 9, Nepal criminalized the practice of relegating women to huts when they are menstruating. The new law, which comes into effect in August 2018, stipulates that anyone enforcing the custom, known as chhaupadi, will face a three-month jail sentence and a fine. Here’s more. HISTORICAL CUSTOM Ancient Nepalese tradition dictates that women must be sequestered to small animal sheds outside their homes during menstruation or after childbirth, as they are considered to be impure.