A hype in the air about the Indian Government fixing sanitary pad vending machines in schools; drop a coin in, and a pad pops out. But, what about the Indian pharmaceutical stores, where they wrap up layers on layers of newspaper on the sanitary napkin pack, seal it in a BLACK bag, and smuggle it to the bleeding women!
The trolley getting maximum stares in a commercial super market is not that with a heap of processed unhealthy edibles, but that carrying a pack of sanitary pads. Does a pack of cigarette or a bottle of liquor get any eyes rolling over on the crossroad, like a naked pack of sanitary napkin does? The answer is NO!
BBC survey statistics state that more than 70% of Indian girls lack knowledge on Menstrual Cycles, until they get their periods; whereas, more than 20% of girls in India drop out from schools after they start Menstruating, either due to period poverty, or due to awkwardness caused during menstrual cycles.
Why is Menstruation not NORMAL in India? As humans we breathe, we eat, we excrete, we sleep, and we reproduce. Similarly, women bleed every month, as a part of their reproductive cycle. This is a normal phenomenon occurring as a human. Then why is menstruation a taboo? Or having periods considered impious. Women having periods are not allowed in temples or mosques, not allowed to perform, or attend holy rituals, some even isolate and restrict them from touching anything in their own homes.
Every month a woman sheds about 50 milliliters of blood while menstruating. According to the National Family Health Survey, more than half of female population in India suffers anemia. And, every year, more than 1,22,800 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer.
Talking of period poverty, only 36% of female population in India have access to sanitary pads, rest of the population becomes the victim of unhygienic menstrual conditions. Many women in rural area use husk, mud, old rags, old clothes, leaves, or ash to camouflage their bleeding womb. Other than the use of sanitary pads, there is lack of awareness in the use of tampons, menstrual cups, or other sanitary mediums. Not to mention the elevation in the number of episodes where rural women are removing their wombs, after reproduction, to get rid of their menstrual cycle.
But is it only physical pain, or physical discomfort that women suffer during menstruation? With the hormones on peak, doing Tandav, she suffers a lot of mood swings, depression, anxiety, and mental trauma due to excessive stress. Obesity, diabetes, post-partum health issues, loss of stamina, and bodily changes, adding on to the list.
A stain on the school dress becomes a topic to giggle on. Asking for a sanitary napkin turns to a guilt, to feel shamed about. Answering questions on why not attending holy rituals or entering holy places, feels humiliating to answer in public. This is the 21st century. And the daughters of 21st century must be taught to answer with pride. Yes, I am in Periods, and I am happy to bleed!
Conclusion:
The Government shall fix sanitary pads vending machines, provide quality sanitary pad at lowest price or shall set some schemes to benefit women. But as responsible Indian citizens, it is our duty to maintain the dignity, for the very reason that brings us into existence. A taboo becomes a taboo when the society as a whole believes in it.
Let us teach our daughters approaching puberty, about how her body functions and what will her journey from being a girl to becoming a women shall be like.
Let us educate our sons, to respect the dignity of his opposite gender. Just like his mother or sister, she too passes from the same phase while growing up.
Let us evolve as a society, and make women feel REALLY HAPPY in bleeding!
Let us NORMALIZE Menstruation! Let us celebrate Menstruation! Let us break this taboo!
Why buying “sanitary pads” a secret mission in India?
A hype in the air about the Indian Government fixing sanitary pad vending machines in schools; drop a coin in, and a pad pops out. But, what about the Indian pharmaceutical stores, where they wrap up layers on layers of newspaper on the sanitary napkin pack, seal it in a BLACK bag, and smuggle it to the bleeding women!
The trolley getting maximum stares in a commercial super market is not that with a heap of processed unhealthy edibles, but that carrying a pack of sanitary pads. Does a pack of cigarette or a bottle of liquor get any eyes rolling over on the crossroad, like a naked pack of sanitary napkin does? The answer is NO!
BBC survey statistics state that more than 70% of Indian girls lack knowledge on Menstrual Cycles, until they get their periods; whereas, more than 20% of girls in India drop out from schools after they start Menstruating, either due to period poverty, or due to awkwardness caused during menstrual cycles.
Why is Menstruation not NORMAL in India? As humans we breathe, we eat, we excrete, we sleep, and we reproduce. Similarly, women bleed every month, as a part of their reproductive cycle. This is a normal phenomenon occurring as a human. Then why is menstruation a taboo? Or having periods considered impious. Women having periods are not allowed in temples or mosques, not allowed to perform, or attend holy rituals, some even isolate and restrict them from touching anything in their own homes.
Every month a woman sheds about 50 milliliters of blood while menstruating. According to the National Family Health Survey, more than half of female population in India suffers anemia. And, every year, more than 1,22,800 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer.
Talking of period poverty, only 36% of female population in India have access to sanitary pads, rest of the population becomes the victim of unhygienic menstrual conditions. Many women in rural area use husk, mud, old rags, old clothes, leaves, or ash to camouflage their bleeding womb. Other than the use of sanitary pads, there is lack of awareness in the use of tampons, menstrual cups, or other sanitary mediums. Not to mention the elevation in the number of episodes where rural women are removing their wombs, after reproduction, to get rid of their menstrual cycle.
But is it only physical pain, or physical discomfort that women suffer during menstruation? With the hormones on peak, doing Tandav, she suffers a lot of mood swings, depression, anxiety, and mental trauma due to excessive stress. Obesity, diabetes, post-partum health issues, loss of stamina, and bodily changes, adding on to the list.
A stain on the school dress becomes a topic to giggle on. Asking for a sanitary napkin turns to a guilt, to feel shamed about. Answering questions on why not attending holy rituals or entering holy places, feels humiliating to answer in public. This is the 21st century. And the daughters of 21st century must be taught to answer with pride. Yes, I am in Periods, and I am happy to bleed!
Conclusion:
The Government shall fix sanitary pads vending machines, provide quality sanitary pad at lowest price or shall set some schemes to benefit women. But as responsible Indian citizens, it is our duty to maintain the dignity, for the very reason that brings us into existence. A taboo becomes a taboo when the society as a whole believes in it.
Let us teach our daughters approaching puberty, about how her body functions and what will her journey from being a girl to becoming a women shall be like.
Let us educate our sons, to respect the dignity of his opposite gender. Just like his mother or sister, she too passes from the same phase while growing up.
Let us evolve as a society, and make women feel REALLY HAPPY in bleeding!
Let us NORMALIZE Menstruation! Let us celebrate Menstruation! Let us break this taboo!
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