Kathmandu, 18 Oct: Nepal Police has been honored with the ‘Herman Goldstein Award’ in the United States for declaring Marku Village of Chaurpati Rural Municipality-7 in Achham District a Chhaupadi-free village. The award was received for the Community–Police Partnership Project initiated by Nepal Police to eliminate the Chhaupadi practice in the remote region of Achham.
According to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and former Achham Police Chief Ishwori Prasad Bhandari, the project was selected among the best in the world under the “Herman Goldstein Award for Excellence in Problem-Oriented Policing.”
The police team representing Nepal in the United States included DSP Kiran Jung Kunwar, DSP Ishwori Prasad Bhandari, and Inspector Pratima Karki. The award ceremony took place from October 13 to 15 in Madison City, Wisconsin, organized by Arizona State University. Nepal Police presented their project titled “Community–Police Collaboration for Social Transformation: Campaign to End Chhaupadi Practice in Marku Village, Achham.”
According to DSP Bhandari, this marks the first-ever international award received by Nepal Police for community-based work, creating a milestone in the institution’s history. He expressed happiness, saying, “It is a proud moment to travel to America to receive an award for the work we did in Achham. This international recognition has made police more responsible in eliminating the Chhaupadi system.”
Nepal Police plans to expand this model to other districts in Sudurpaschim and Karnali Provinces. The Herman Goldstein Award, established in 1993, is named after American criminologist Professor Herman Goldstein, who in 1979 introduced the concept of problem-oriented policing—a shift from reactive law enforcement toward identifying and solving social problems through sustainable approaches.
According to Bhandari, this initiative by Nepal Police goes beyond traditional crime control, aiming to bring social, cultural, and behavioral transformation within communities. It highlights Nepal Police’s growing capacity, accountability, and human-centered commitment at the international level.
The “SARA” Model Behind Ending Chhaupadi Practice
Under the Community–Police Partnership (CPP) program launched in October 2018, Nepal Police implemented a long-term campaign in Marku Village, Achham to end the social exclusion and violence faced by women during menstruation.
Before the project began, there were 85 Chhaupadi huts in the village. Due to superstition and religious fear, women were forced to stay in these huts for four days during menstruation and up to 15 days during their first period. Police data shows that between 2009 and 2018, 14 women lost their lives in Achham alone due to Chhaupadi-related incidents.
To combat this deeply rooted practice, Nepal Police applied the SARA model (Scanning, Analysis, Response, and Assessment)—a principle of problem-oriented policing. The Achham District Police Office first signed agreements with all local governments, making the elimination of Chhaupadi a top priority.
They then implemented a strategy combining “Soft Implementation, Continuous Awareness, and Monitoring,” focusing on community values, legal understanding, financial resources, and long-term sustainability.
Remarkable Results and Sustainable Change
By 2019, all 85 Chhaupadi huts in Marku had been demolished, and according to police, none have been rebuilt in the past six years.
The campaign also conducted:
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287 community awareness programs
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27 school outreach programs
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730 community–police patrols, covering around 13,850 kilometers and engaging directly with over 30,000 local residents.
In addition, 22 public hearings and regular review meetings ensured transparency and active community participation in the project.
A total of 134 police personnel collaborated with around 70 local institutions throughout the campaign. Since the start of the project, no deaths or incidents related to Chhaupadi have been reported in Marku Village.
This achievement demonstrates that problem-oriented, community-driven policing can bring lasting social transformation. Nepal Police’s Marku model now stands as an inspiring example of how law enforcement can help dismantle harmful traditions through empathy, partnership, and education — not just enforcement.
