Girls and Women face periods every month which is the natural biological change in their body. But, It's a taboo to talk about it in public. Leave about talking, purchasing a sanitary napkin and carrying it uncovered attracts everyone's attention as if the lady is carrying a bomb or pistol in public.
The major concern here is the lack of awareness on periods and menstrual hygiene in girls. I felt very bad reading from Corinne's blog that 71% girls reported that they were completely unprepared for their first period. Even, I was one of them and I understand how it feels for the first time. Even though mother helps her daughter to cope up with the situation well, if doubts are not cleared at the right time, young girls get afraid of their body changes and assume many things. At least, we have google now, which is helping many girls to get a basic idea about menstruation and hygiene during periods. But, this information is not completely reliable too.
As it is with pregnancy, the experience during periods also change from a person to person. Severe cramps, heavy bleeding, migraine, body pains,weakness, feeling anaemic etc.,are only some of the problems. My doctor explained me the reason behind the cramps once, but until then, I was afraid of those 5 days. I have discussed with my close friends about the problems during periods and that was one way to understand, share and learn. Who else can a girl talk to about these problems oOther than her mother, siblings, and friends? If those close people don't have enough knowledge, where does she get the awareness from? I feel, it's essential that a few educational sessions should be organized in schools and colleges about the periods, body changes, hygiene etc., Till now I am talking about people like us who have access to education and good schools. But, the girls/ women from less privileged strata of society might not have this awareness and even if they had, the sanitary napkins or other options for menstrual hygiene might not be accessible to them. Naari, a social enterprise working in the space of Menstrual hygiene management is doing a great job in spreading awareness. Their focus is to erase menstrual myths and encourage women to talk about periods with pride. Kudos to the organization.
It's time to break the taboo and start talking about Periods, what say?
Until next time,
