Menstruation is a natural process in menstruators which repeats every month. Biologically, the concept is about the shedding of ovary and uterus wall. Every month the body prepares for pregnancy. Suppose no pregnancy occurs, the uterus wall sheds its linings. And it comes out as the menstrual blood which is blood mixed with secretions from the vagina and cervix.
It is like any other natural process taking place in the human body. However, it has taken a strict prejudicial twist, maybe because of the wrong interpretation. And as a result, it excludes women from many aspects of socio-cultural life. In many societies all over the continent, it is considered a taboo until date. Such taboos around menstruation present in many cultures impact menstruators in several ways. It disturbs them physically as well as emotionally.
It is linked to the impurity, and the reason dates back to Vedas. It is linked to Indira’s slaying of Vritras. The burden of Indira’s crime was divided among the trees, earth, water, and women. Periods were the form of the curse that women had to bear, but with the ability to bring a new life in the world, thus, claim superiority over men. So menstruation came as a part of Indira’s guilt of killing a Brahmin, which women had to take upon themselves.
This is what the society has rewarded her of the kindness that she had manifested. She is literally punished today for someone else’s guilt. The people follow this part of Vedas as it is. But the same Vedas say that women are not impure. And that she cannot perform poojas during menstruation.
If Vedas do not consider them impure and you follow Vedas, then you must consider them pure. Otherwise, it is sheer disobedience of Vedas from your part. It’s high time now that we should give our women a comfortable environment during the time of their suffering, yes, the five days of the severe stomach pain and mental disturbances.
Further, women are prevented from participating in the day to day chores of life during the period and is only allowed to continue normally after they are ‘pure’ again. In India, even a single utterance is considered as a heinous offence. Exceptions are the elite societies which have this system of parent-child communication. The dogmatic cultural and social influences appear to be a hurdle for the advancement of knowledge on this subject.
These myths are perpetuated because of lack of knowledge on these topics. Moreover, in rural India, if one initiates these talks, he has to hear severe strong remarks and taunts from his fellow mates. He is considered a man of low morals. We must pull most of the educated youth to contribute to a change in this area. Lack of parent-child communication renders awkwardness in people since their childhood. And this awkwardness results in their being silent on a thing as natural as menstruation.
These impacts them at a greater extent. This often results in girls dropping out of their schools after they reach their menstruating age. This includes over 23% of girls in India. Further, menstruation also creates obstacles for teachers. The patriarchal school culture, infrastructure, and lack of clean, safe and private sanitation facilities for teachers and girls undermine their right to privacy. Thus, there is a need to follow a strategic approach to combat these issues.
Raising awareness among students is the best way to combat these taboos. If one is successful is taking them out the guilt that they are not impure, the situation would definitely improve. Low-cost sanitary napkins can be locally made and distributed, particularly in low-income areas as these are the areas where access to the product is difficult.
Increasing the role of the male partner and clearing the beliefs system of the male partner is also pertinent in combating deep-rooted social beliefs and cultural taboos. Menstruation is nothing but a biological phenomenon, and adolescent girls and women should understand that they have the power of procreation only because of this virtue. It should be seen as as a virtue, not as a terrible practice which hinders the development of society. This can only happen with proper education and knowledge about the prevailing myth.