Pranathi Harihar
‘That time of the month’ as the majority of us would refer to a menstrual cycle, sounds absurd when you come to think of it. No one thinks twice before talking about emptying that bottomless pit, regardless of how filthy it is.
So how and why did this extremely peculiar stigma get attached to Menstruation?
A painful, yet natural and beautiful phenomenon that doesn’t spare a single female is something that is still given the stink-eye in the 21st century!
I always stress how childhood is the most important formatting years for an individual. What one learns in this period is what sets the pace for the rest of their life.
I would say that I am lucky to have been born into a household that is extremely accepting and open in this aspect.
I have an elder sister which makes it three temperamental females at home, and a helpless father caught in the middle of this madness! But the point I’m coming to make is that I have never felt uncomfortable being around him during my cycle.
Being the most understanding man that he is, he takes up more chores around the house to help us all out. A common assumption we have is that the concept of Menstruation has only been misunderstood by men, who have never understood its reality.
But I feel like it is equally important to educate a woman as well about positively perceiving her periods. If I wasn’t taught to normalize periods, learning from the way my parents view it at home, I probably would’ve grown up abiding by the stigma it carries.
I wouldn’t have understood that there’s no need to be uncomfortable talking about periods. I also wouldn’t have understood that there’s no need to put yourself behind closed doors and ensure that you don’t touch another, calling yourself ‘impure’.
This process for me, as a female, was reinforced when I started college at an all-girls. I was amazed by how I could carry a pad in my hand without having to wrap it in a newspaper! I no longer had to fake an illness, but just tell my friends that I was having terrible menstrual cramps.
Slowly, this gave me more confidence in myself; something I wish every girl and boy could have. A girl taking no shame during her cycle, and a boy taking no shame being around her and talking about it.
And consequently, the society as well, completely ridding it from any shame it carries towards a bleeding woman.
We then slowly move on to understand culture-specific rituals for periods. In a world where people try to back every action with some logic, what possible explanation can be given to not allowing a girl to enter God’s room while she is menstruating?
How can one explain being prohibited from carrying out her day-to-day chores only because of periods?
These rituals and myths are never-ending and somehow is hard to escape from. A ritualistic way of living is unfortunately deeply rooted in our society and is extremely hard to eliminate.
Families should understand that blindly following some cultural norms does not make them righteous and principled.
They could achieve that status by being more open-minded and gain more perspective on the same.
Menstruation is a contributing factor to considering a girl child as a burden. A menstruating female is assumed to be unable to contribute to making a living.
As she isn’t allowed to carry out her daily work, other members of the family are required to do her work which is infuriating for some.
Having to cater to her needs during her cycle by buying sanitary napkins and providing nourishing food comes to be a hindrance for the family.
I honestly feel that no one is to blame in this situation.
The dishonors attached to Menstruation are something that has been building up for many years.
There are some myths from even before the 19th century where menstruating women were considered to be ‘Dark Witches’ and that they were the reason for food getting ruined.
Isn’t all this just beyond belief! These thoughts and beliefs have only been getting stronger and have somehow entered into our daily lives. And hence it should be understood that it is not something that can be changed in a matter of a day or two.
An idea that has gained so much power cannot be undone instantly. It will take a lot of work, time, and constant effort. Efforts have already begun where we have many working to destroy the notions attached to Periods. ‘Period Leave’ is being incorporated by many companies and organizations.
Menstrual Education in schools for teenagers is being more strictly followed. There are more awareness campaigns which are conducted. Many NGOs take up responsibility and go to rural areas to educated impoverished families about the same.
I strongly feel that change begins at home; in a place where the child is taught what is right from wrong and what is good from bad, in a place of safety, security, and comfort.
This will certainly impact the outlook of the child in the outside world. The efforts should start with grandparents who also understand the strength of a girl and should not classify her as weak because she experiences periods.
A girl should be encouraged to do as she pleases concerning work and household chores. There should be no restrictions on her and only then can she carry on the same in her future.
Changing one idea, changing one belief, and not following one simple ritual can lead to a lot and more. Teachers in school should not only stick to their syllabus but should include normalizing and respecting girls on their periods so that boys become comfortable with the same from a young age itself.
Bosses at the workplace should appreciate a woman who goes to work rather than bring her down. When a menstruating girl is allowed into the temple, her prayers are not sinful but could save the world!
A girl can do wonders – regardless of whether she is bleeding or not. Period.
