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Mother’s Group bans alcohol in Achham village
A mother’s group has banned all kinds of alcoholic beverages in Payal village of Chaurpati Rural Municipality-4 in Achham district.Menuka Dhungana
A mother’s group has banned all kinds of alcoholic beverages in Payal village of Chaurpati Rural Municipality-4 in Achham district.
Women said the number of cases related to domestic violence has increased in the village due to alcohol abuse. They said that women, children and elderly citizens are mostly victimised after men became alcoholics in the village. Alcohol has also contributed to crimes, they said.
“We have started patrolling the village area to stop liquor sales. We have imposed liquor ban in wedding receptions, and other socials gatherings,” said Shantidevi Kunwar, chairperson of the mother’s group.
The group said it is imposing fines up to Rs10,000 from the individuals and business establishments found selling liquor. Mother’s Group Secretary Sitadevi Pariyar said women have been playing a role of watchdog to eradicate alcohol abuse, among other malpractices, from the village. “The alcohol ban has restored peace in my house,” said Pariyar, adding that men have started kicking their drinking and gambling habits.
In the past, women said their families fell into poverty as their breadwinners had become alcoholics. Now, the women of Payal have become aware of the affects of alcohol abuse on an individual’s health, their family and the society at large. They have also started a campaign against Chhaupadi, child marriage and caste-based discrimination.
There are 25 women members in the Mother’s Group. Vice Chairperson of Chaurpati Rural Municiplaity Maya Kunwar said the rural municipal office has been running awareness campaign against the social evils. “We have a plan to reduce the cases of domestic violence,” she said.
According to the District Police Office, 166 cases of domestic violence were reported in the district in the last eight months. “The main reason behind the increase in cases of domestic violence cases is alcohol abuse,” said DSP Dadhiram Neupane.