A brief discussion on the tabooed topic – Menstrual cycle

 

Photograph by Deeptika.S

Recently, when I was on a walk with my neighbors, we saw some of the poorly "disposed sanitary pads" around the neighborhood. I could literally feel the uncomfortable situation in silence. Exactly, that is the reason for this article too. 

Why do people feel so uncomfortable discussing on menstrual cycle? Is it a shame if we disclose our menstrual "secrets"? Why do we whisper when a girl needs a sanitary napkin? Why is the natural biological cycle a 'taboo'? We live in a so-called, open-minded modern society, but are we really ready to discuss this basic term – Menstrual Cycle. It took me all these years to voice out these questions after being stuck in my head for several years. Moreover, this is proof of how culturally inculcated misconceptions pave a path to ignorance.

Especially in rural India, it has never been easy to discuss reproductive health. Indian Council of Medical Research (2011-12) survey reported that only 38% of menstruating girls discussed with their mothers on 'Menstruation'. Vernacular period euphemisms are often used by women, which are uncontemplated by men. When a family could not talk casually about their daughter's menstrual cycle, how could there be an effort for menstrual hygiene? According to the National Family Health Survey (2015-16), numbers of women using hygienic means of menstrual care in India are 78% in urban areas, 48% in rural areas and 58% overall. This data varies drastically from various secondary resources, revealing the indistinct data in such studies. Again, this could be because of the hesitant culture to share about their periods. Poor menstrual hygiene would result in Urinary Tract Infections (UTI), yeast infections, Hepatitis B Infection, cervical cancer, etc. These are the results of poverty. Due to regressive beliefs on menstruation and lack of awareness on menstrual hygiene in some rural communities, women tend to wash their menstrual cloths during night-time rather than drying them in sunlight.

There are misconceptions that periods are only for women and ‘transgender men and non-binary individuals’ are often ignored from menstruation-related discussions. During menstruation, many adolescent girls face the issue of being socially vulnerable, stigmatized, excluded, and harassed in the name of superstitions. An alarming report by UNICEF states that one in five girls drop out of school after their first periods in India. This directly or indirectly influences gender inequality and inhibit mobility. Only 1-2% teaches children about menstruation and reproductive health. Families and schools play a major role in destigmatizing the strong cultural/religious/superstitious norms that restrict open discussions on the menstrual cycle.

Several voluntary organizations are providing several awareness programs, free sanitary pads, and education on menstrual hygiene. Drastic change can only be possible when families are ready to have a casual talk on menstruation cycle or when there is no hesitation for a man to get a sanitary napkin for the store, or when no layers of newspapers are required to cover a pack of sanitary pads. There have been declines in the number of women who can afford sanitary napkins because of the COVID outbreak and lockdown. Government or NGOs can take steps to refill sanitary napkins in the public toilets constantly. Awareness on the proper disposal of sanitary pads using pictorial posters and separate dustbins can be practiced. An educated individual being ignorant and embarrassed to discuss the effects of improper menstrual education is a socially irresponsible and regressive action.  

 

S. Deeptika

 

III B.A. Sociology