M-E-N-S-T-R-U-A-T-I-O-N. A 12 letter word which has multiple alternative identities – each of which describes a natural and inevitable bodily process, intrinsically linked to the flourishing of society, that occurs to every female. In all these years, however, what I’ve failed to comprehend is – why is menstruation such a taboo? If menstruation is a natural process, why is talking about it so unnatural? Why does its mention more so often pave the way to a tumbleweed moment?
Well, if we haven’t realized till now, menstruation stigma is perhaps the greatest, the most shallow and among the most common yet unrecognized and unspoken forms of misogyny. In multiple societies across the world, various myths and taboos which are embedded in our collective psyche, exist around menstruation. In multiple communities, people are subscribed to the view that considers a menstruating woman ‘impure’ and chooses to offer her different treatment compared to ‘other’ days. The most prevalent of which include- disallowing her from entering or carrying out religious practices, prohibiting from the kitchen and most often rendering her to isolation.
These norms and taboos, perpetuated culturally and religiously are exacerbated by embarrassment, shame and evil spirits. While science and logic have failed to offer any justification for the differential treatment women succumb to, these practices originated in the earliest of times and rampantly continue being practised normally. The freedom of a menstruating woman continues being subjugated to the hands of dominant patriarchal discourse. A woman, when menstruating is quelled to its own form of untouchability. Quite ironically, while we protest against caste-based untouchability, rarely will one ever notice any discussion against this form of untouchability ridiculously and openly pervasive in society.
Very rarely is one offered the privilege to hear the term ‘menstruation’ in public. Nearly everything except the term itself is used to describe it. We’ve become so used to references including- ‘Mahine ke chaar din’ and ‘her days’ that they seem like perfectly normal descriptions of menstruation now. This historic euphemism of the word has only led way to the misinterpretation of it, taking it out of context of the mundane bodily process that it is. The coyness surrounding it conveys that the menstrual function is something to be hidden, to be kept only among females. The ‘code words’ we use only reinforce the idea that menstruation should not be named. But really, what is so secretive about it that requires an indirect mention? Paying closer attention, it can be observed that no advertisement, be it on television, at the back of an auto-rickshaw or on a billboard will talk of the term directly.
Fault also lies in our established system of leaving males oblivious to the process. In schools, colleges, workplaces or public spaces, women are highly hesitant to use the term, and if they do mention it at all, it is either the softest whisper or they ensure that there is no male in close proximity. What we go without realizing, however, is that when we attempt to exclude males from conversations centred around menstruation, it builds onto their curiosity which only manages to aggravate the situation.
Furthermore, what amuses me immensely is the fact that while today the #Metoo is gaining widespread cultural discourse, and we’re impressioned to be progressing well towards establishing equality, when such taboos, such treatment, such myths still exist, in considerable numbers, and are surprisingly rarely ever spoken of or highlighted, have we, in its true essence moved towards vanquishing the age-old patriarchal systems? Have we been successful in moving towards feminism without even a subtle mention of the topic? Is one a feminist if s/he still fears to say the word ‘menstruation’? There is so much more we must think of.
“Why are the words ‘tampon’ and ‘pad’ sacrileges?”