Interacting with women coming from rural areas gives a very different perspective and understanding of the issues. During my stay in the village for a good one and a half months allowed me to interact with women around menstruation. It did not come as a rude shock to me when I learned women do not prefer to use sanitary pads and choose to use a piece of cloth instead.
Myth, Taboo, And Stigma Discourage Them From Using Sanitary Pads
Myths, taboos, and stigma around menstruation are not different in rural spaces than urban spaces. Yet, the restriction during the times of menstruation is a little relaxed in rural villages than in the urban upper-middle-class families. In both spaces, the myths associated with menstruation cannot be ignored.
In the village I was at, women are considered “polluted” during periods. They are not allowed to enter into the temple, not allowed to touch pickle during but, unlike few communities and within upper-middle-class households, women still work in the kitchen and the field. I vividly remember, while growing up in my urban city, my friends were prohibited from entering into the kitchen or work during periods.
During my interaction with Rekha didi (name changed) around menstruation and use of the product during periods, in a whisper, she shared, she uses cloth. In my head, I thought the reasons she would spell out would be the cost and lack of availability of sanitary pads, which she did spell out but, one of the reasons for the lack of use of sanitary pads was the myth associated with it. It is believed, if a snake smells the menstrual blood, then it would affect a woman’s reproductive system, and therefore, it would be difficult for her to conceive in the future. Thus, even if a woman uses a sanitary pad, she washes it before disposing of it.
Cloth Over Sanitary Pad
Rekha didi and many other women avoid using sanitary pads because of lack of availability in the village and the hassle of disposing of sanitary pads which come along with their use. In villages, they have to wash the sanitary pad before burning it. Therefore, they clean the cloth pad and dry it off. The shame associated with the sanitary pad forces them to dry the clothes in complete secrecy. They put these clothes under the wet clothes to dry them off. In a day, they change the cloth pads twice a day. Although the use of clothes helps to reduce the waste generated due to sanitary pad significantly, the use of cloth requires proper care. It should be washed and dried in adequate sunlight. The stigma which comes along with menstruation forces them to keep it away from everyone gazes, and they hesitate to put these clothes under direct sunlight. Further, the cloth used should be of cotton and should be clean.
Lack Of Availability Of Sanitary Pads
One looks around, and it is easy to notice that none of the shops in the village sells sanitary pads. Rekha didi herself runs a shop, and she does not sell them. One of the reasons is the lack of demand, and the second is the taboo associated with it. Also, she herself is not comfortable selling it in the shop. For these women, the nearest shop to avail of a sanitary pad is roughly 12 kilometres away. It isn’t easy for them to buy it within the village itself.
Education, Awareness, And Availability
The women in rural areas are not comfortable talking and discussing menstruation. They maintain secrecy around it. Therefore, it is essential to spread awareness with women, adolescents, and young children around the risk associated with unhygienic practice during the periods. The importance to follow extra precaution during the use of clothes.
In addition, the availability of sanitary pads at schools, Anganwadis and CHCs/PHCs would also tackle the issue of accessibility. These sanitary pads should be distributed free of cost because one of the primary reasons for lack of use of sanitary pad is the affordability. The government must step up to ensure last-mile delivery.
The author is a part of the current batch of the #PeriodParGyan Writer’s Training Program