We are living in the 21st century, but still, sanitary pads are brought under wraps. In advertisements, menstrual blood is shown as blue and not red. Red stain on the skirt is a source of shame and terms like ‘chumming’, ‘down’, ‘aunt red’ is used. Menstruation and related issues can’t be discussed openly although it is a natural phenomenon for almost 50% of India’s population.
Even now, women are considered “impure” during their periods, subjected to social, cultural and religious restrictions. In many sections of society, girls are secluded from other family members and are made to eat and sleep separately.
Why is it that someone who is expected to do all household chores on all other days abruptly becomes “impure” only because her body is going through a cycle which is normal and natural. I am doomed to see temples in the 21st century with signboards “menstruating women not allowed”.
Due to the taboo around menstruation, it is hardly ever discussed openly leading to further propagation of myths and misconceptions from generation to generation.
All of us has followed certain restrictions at some point of time or other in our life. I myself followed these restrictions for around five years, but when I read human biology, I got to know that menstruation is a normal human cycle, the sign of a normal working human system. Then why do we create such a fuss about it?
What we need is to teach our girls since the beginning is that menstruation is nothing to be ashamed of, it is completely normal and natural. And teach our boys that red stain on someone’s skirt is not a topic of mockery.