Gender-based violence (GBV) is an untold story and unrevealed experience for a considerable percentage of women in India and the world. NFHS-IV data shows that 30% of women in India in the age group of 15-49 have experienced physical violence, and 6% in the same age group have faced sexual violence. About 31% of married women have experienced physical, sexual and emotional violence by their spouses.
This shows how violence against women has been ingrained and increasing day by day. This also applies to issues related to menstrual hygiene management. GBV has many dimensions which include physical, sexual, psychological and social aspects. Depriving an individual (mostly women) of their basic needs, identity, and fundamental rights are some more dimensions.
Menstruation is a natural process occurring in this group once every month for 3-5 days. But, it’s associated stigma negatively influences the lives of women and girls. It reinforces gender inequalities and exclusion. The natural bodily process has been converted and restructured by society in an elaborate manner.
This easily helps those who usually wish to exercise their power over women. To consider women as a vulnerable and weaker gender is a traditional thought based on gender discrimination. And menstruation has always been used as a tool to exploit women.
From times immemorial, some customs and traditions have been built to express their control and supremacy over women. And gradually, more notions have been added which have made the simple natural process of menstruation so complex.
In a few communities, the first onset of menarche is celebrated grandly. Sometimes this makes the girl an easy prey for early marriage, sexual violence, teenage pregnancy, school dropout and trafficking like issues. On the other hand, the weak economic condition of the family is so that they can’t even offer sanitary pads. There is an existing myth that menstruation is a dirty process. So why to waste money instead of reusing the leftover old cloth.
Lack of toilet or running water in homes also makes them go outside to ponds or rivers for bathing, cleaning or any other routine chores. And there are a great chance and evidence of violated privacy and sexual abuse. During my interaction with communities, I found that at home, some women are forced into sexual relations during menstruation against their wishes. Not only does it make them prone to reproductive tract infections, but it’s also non-consensual and a gross violation on their bodies.
Sometimes conflict also arises between family members regarding the girl’s attitude towards the myth. Conflict over spending on sanitary pads and other menstrual products is also commonly seen.
Occasionally girls opt for transactional sex to purchase their sanitary pads to keep attending school. Many times they are compelled to eat hormone pills to postpone their periods to perform family rituals or functions. Regular consumption of emergency pills, hormone pills breaks their regular cycle and has many side effects on their physical and mental health.
After a few years of menarche, girls are often forced into child marriage because there is a myth in some communities that her reproductive capacity gradually decreases with the increase in age. Her freedom of movement and participation in different function and co-curricular activities is restricted.
She also faces embarrassing situations at public places like in school, office, hospital and bus stop. This is due to the lack of availability of proper WASH or MHM facility in those areas or not in a working condition. There is also a chance of bullying or harassment by their male counterparts. All this makes her reluctant to go outside to avoid unsafe situations for 3-4 day every month.
From all the above, it is evident that menstruation is being used as a tool for GBV. If we want to create a world of gender equality & equity, we have to make an integrated effort at all levels. The basic facilities like a toilet with running water, the supply of sanitary pad, hand washing, dustbin and pad disposing system, should be made available at every place.
It will help menstruators manage their cycle without any fear and shame efficiently. This will not only help them to stay safe and healthy but also can enhance their self-esteem. And they can play their part effectively in nation-building progress.