Menstruation is not a problem, poor menstrual hygiene is.
On this World Menstrual Hygiene Day (28.05.2021) let’s break the stigma associated with the word periods. Period right is a basic human right and every woman, irrespective of her social and economic status deserves to enjoy it.
In many rural areas using a sanitary pad is thought to be a luxury.
I have been working with an NGO for a year and during one of our camps we came across a woman at Gosaba district of Sunderbans in West Bengal, who refused to take a packet of sanitary pad distributed by us and wished to have food instead, saying, “Madam, you are rich, you can use all of this expensive stuff but for us, who struggle every day to make our ends meet, it’s a luxury.”
Hence our NGO has always attempted to hand out sanitary pads to these women free of cost. We have also tried to create an awareness program where our doctors will be speaking on the significance of menstrual hygiene. They will be explaining how not using sanitary pad during periods and working in the fish estuaries can lead to ovarian cancer.
Spreading awareness on period hygiene is an absolute must. We can all join hands in this in our own way. Teach your domestic help the significance of maintaining proper hygiene when she is bleeding. Many women in the rural areas suffer the patriarchal rant and are subjected to inhibitions every month. This penumbra of superstitions has to end. Do not teach your daughters that period is something to be ashamed of and that they should not be speaking about it in front of the male members of the family. Instead, teach them how to maintain proper menstrual hygiene.
Leaders bleed and so do women!
Happy menstrual hygiene day!