Menstruation is also known as periods, which is a regular discharge of blood from the inner lining of the uterus through the vagina. So that’s the biological definition.
Now, what is it really?
Discharge of blood for some duration—is this the only meaning of menstruation?
The process has the ability to bring new life into the world. Yet, a menstruating woman is still ill-treated in India.
Some of the taboos associated with it are:
- If you are menstruating, do not go near the pooja place or temple.
- Do not enter the kitchen.
- Do not go out with boys or do not let boys come near to you.
- Do not wear short or tight dresses.
Are we really ‘Bhagwaan k bacche’ (children of God) then? Are we doing this to please God?
Is it a crime to go to the temple during your periods? The people react so disgustingly when they come to know that someone on their periods has entered the temple, as if if you have committed a crime; maybe God would even kick you out of the temple, is that right? And the kitchen? Ah! “Beta, do not enter the kitchen till you are experiencing those days.” I wonder what will happen if we do enter. The food you are going to cook, will it become poison?
And what about not wearing certain dresses? There may be stains, but one should not judge the dress but the mentality. Many people still think that a girl needs to maintain distance from boys, just because “they are on their periods”.
Next on the list is #SanitaryPadChupao. When one buys sanitary napkins from any shop, the shopkeeper wraps the packet with papers and puts it inside a black polythene bag. As if one were purchasing something illegal!
How about #SaveYourOpinion?!
‘Period’, the word everyone runs away from as if it is something that is meant to hold girls back and restrict their movement in life. A very few people seem to be aware of the fact that it gives a woman power, the strength to produce life. Therefore, they should stop period-shaming.
They want women to be silent. It’s okay to bleed, but not okay to speak about it in front of boys!
We talk a lot about menstruation and sex and many other so-called ‘taboo’ topics. People these days have overcome a lot of myths about periods and sex. Their mentalities are changing slowly. Still, there are a lot of people with various mentalities.
But is it really a matter of shame? Why hide it otherwise?
They say it’s okay to speak about it openly, but never in front of boys! It’s okay to bring sanitary pads along, but always hide it inside your bag, wrap it in a paper. When we mention or carry sanitary napkins, or if someone has stains on their clothing, people laugh or react with disgust. I mean, really? How would you feel if we did the same to you, especially for something natural and ‘NOT disgusting’!?
Should we really feel ashamed of ‘this’? Should we make one feel insecure about ‘this’?
#WeBleedWithPrideSoWhyHide
One exists because we BLEED,
And you are the seed of that ‘impure’ deed.
So stop period shaming!