The term menstruation is taboo in our Indian society. There exist many misconceptions about the term because of which women face many problems. It is attached with impurity or with something awful. We don’t look at it as a natural part of life.
Indian society is not open about menstruation. We are very insensitive when it comes to it. There is no proper channel through which people can learn about it. So, we rely on unauthentic sources to fulfil our curiosity and end up despising it.
Although menstruation is the part of the school curriculum, either the topic is not discussed openly in the classrooms or is left with students to understand themselves. This often leads to misconceptions.
I don’t remember my teacher explaining it to me. I only got to know a little bit about it later from friends, then from google when I got curious about it. Had I known earlier, I would have been much more sensitive towards women.
Although I did not misbehave, I have seen boys in my class making fun of menstruating girls. They were very insensitive towards them due to a lack of knowledge. They ended up making fun of it.
It is not their mistake either because they have not been taught about it. We would not have existed had girls not menstruated. Had there been a proper class, instead of making fun, they would have supported the girls.
It happens very often that girls, fearing menstruation, don’t come to school. It disturbs their studies. They are afraid of the stigma attached to it if others come to know about it.
There are many girls who themselves don’t know about it until they start menstruating. Sometimes, girls become terrified due to blood. Since their parents are not as open, they become tense, thinking about their parents’ feelings if they share it with them. This has led to many suicides.
There should be proper education on this topic so that people can be sensitive about it. A conducive environment can be built, which can support girls and women instead of stigmatising them.