ना आसमां फटा, ना धरती काँपी, मैंने सुना एक विधवा महीने का लाल रंग ओढ़े मंदिर चली गयी
Unknown
Menstruation.
Periods
That time of the Month
We know it by many names but don’t talk about it. Yes, menstruation is a major concern that needs to be talked out and LOUD. Menstruation is as natural to women as grass is to the earth. In India, menstruation has been highly stigmatized and has been since song a hush hush topic to talk about. In several parts of India, menstruation is still considered a taboo and there have been several norms associated with it. Even though it is 21st century and biological processes are not seen as an anomaly, sensitization about periods still has a long way to go. In several parts of the country, menstruation is seen as stage when a girl finally transitions into being a woman, that she is capable of childbirth. In olden time, periods was seen as a sign to marry off girls at an young age. Instead of considering periods as a biological process which has physical and mental effect on women, it is still seen as a taboo. In many communities, menstruating women are considered as impure and they are not allowed to go into kitchens and temples. In some staunch customs, women are not even allowed to touch other people and are confined to their rooms. Even though India has developed a lot, talking of periods is still not normalized. Periods cannot be linked to simply childbirth. It is a complex process that includes hormonal fluctuations and bodily symptoms like severe cramps, fatigue, anxiety etc. which not many people are aware of. There is a need to educate people on menstruation as not only men, but even young girls too lack knowledge about what exactly is periods and how is she going to respond to it. Educating people, both men and women become utmost necessary in normalizing the “P word”. Even today, despite the society being so modern and developing, we still see sanitary napkins being wrapped in newspapers and opaque plastics when someone buys it. Further, the lack of awareness about periods often leads to minimal knowledge about menstrual hygiene and products which leads to serious infections and illness in women. It is high time that talking about periods and education people about menstrual health and hygiene should be normalized. Government can introduce schemes that spreads awareness and further curriculums should also include lessons on it. Even parents should normalize educating their children about menstruation at home. It is only when people start to acknowledge menstruation, more awareness will be created and stigmas will be dismantled.
