The uterus creates a layer of thick blood on its walls, to support and foster a fertilized egg. And when the egg isn’t fertilized, it sheds off along with the layer of blood. Menstrual cycle is as simple as that! A regular period is an indication of a healthy body. Periods are a natural way of cleansing and eliminating toxic substances in our body. Menses help in releasing important body chemicals-hormones, which are crucial messengers between different parts of the body. It is a natural human tendency. We appreciate things only as long as they don’t cause us any pain. Similar is the case with periods. In spite of all the good that they do to us, we despise them for all the soreness and discomfort that they put us through.
In many parts of the world, periods are considered impure. There are many taboos associated with it. It is linked with evil spirits, shame and embarrassment. Menstruating women are restricted from doing any ritual and forced to stay away from anything that is holy. The chaupadi tradition is a practice in rural parts of Nepal where women are literally put in isolation during their period. Again the reason stems back to “being unclean.” Women cannot be in classrooms with other students while menstruating. It is funny how a simple natural phenomenon is manipulated and made a horrific experience- heights of human insensitivity.
The bottom line is period taboos are not only crazy and ridiculous but they are a huge obstacle holding women back in many ways. It’s hard to believe these myths still exist all over the world today. But they do, and they need to be busted.Awareness and education, especially for people in rural and developing countries, is necessary to empower girls and women everywhere.
First and the foremost, it is the responsibility of educated lads to take the initiative and believe that menstruation is powerful and not shameful. They should step out and start voicing their opinions. Young girls in the age of 10-13 need to be offered with enough mental support right from the beginning, so that they begin to embrace their body and its natural phenomenon. This, and this alone can make a woman unstoppable. Be bold and bleed red!