It’s Time To End Menstruation Stigma

Menstrual stigma is real and it is a widespread issue impacting millions of females across the world.  The consequence of perpetuating menstruation stigma is devastating, as it results in not only shame, discrimination, anxiety, and embarrassment but also aggravation of mental health issues. Worst of all, menstruation stigma undermines women’s human rights, including their right to health and equality. 

In the era where women endeavour to break the highest and hardest glass ceiling, an attempt is still made to hold them back by labelling them impure and untouchable during their periods. The society is deeply hypocritical as it preaches freedom for women on the one hand but restricts their movement during the menstrual period, citing illogical reasons. The recent experience of being labelled impure and untouchable on the grounds of normal bodily function busted the myth that society is progressive. Progressive society seeks to advance the human condition through social reform. However, the experience of being subjected to discrimination on menstrual grounds stood in stark contrast to the principles of a progressive society. 

Biological process 

The menstrual cycle is a vital biological process in females as it plays a crucial role in reproductive health and overall well-being. However, it's unfortunate that many females live with the fear that their menstrual cycle might coincide with religious rituals.  Our orthodox society claims that a menstruating woman is impure and is therefore forbidden to participate in any religious rituals, and rules and regulations are even stricter when it comes to rituals that are performed to honour departed souls. A woman on her period is even restricted from entering her home during the specified period, forcing her to feel outsider in her own home. 

There is no dearth of moral gatekeepers who come and lecture her to follow certain protocols, which are conspicuous by their logical absence. When asked for logic, the age-old answer reverberates wide and open – “Our ancestors have been following it.” These societal gatekeepers consider themselves to be flag bearers of culture and religions, whereas in reality, they are further fuelling the wave of discrimination against women that persists not only in rural areas but also in modern society. A female is considered untouchable based on period cycle, and a normal bodily function is stigmatised. This deeply hypocritical society celebrates the birth of new life but stigmatises the purest function of the body, which is responsible for creating that new life. 

This is the same society which celebrates almost all the festivals in the name of the goddess, but discriminates against women on various grounds. This is the same society which celebrates pregnancy but stigmatises the process that prepares the body for pregnancy. This discrimination persists not only in rural areas and it's not only uneducated or less educated people who perpetuate this notion, but shockingly, this is deeply embedded in urban society and even highly educated men and women also perpetuate the notion of menstrual stigma. Worst of all, it's women who discriminate against other women on menstrual grounds. Though the patriarchal set up is often blamed for discrimination against women, in some cases, it’s women who seem to be women’s worst enemies, and they are the ones who internalise the notion of impurity during the period cycle and force others to believe and follow the same. 

The consequence of perpetuating menstrual stigma is devastating as the young minds, despite refusing to believe such illogical biases, fear to defy such norms as the menstrual stigma lesson is deeply ingrained in her mind and soul since childhood. From early childhood, she is taught not to enter restricted zones like kitchens or holy places.  Flowers and food wither should menstruating women touch them. Though there is no scientific evidence to support it, menstrual stigma is still widely believed and unapologetically passed on to the younger generation.  

Normal bodily function 

The story of being subjected to menstrual discrimination resulting in exclusion from religious activities ranging from simple pujas to the extent of being prohibited from performing death rituals for their beloved family members, resonates with millions of girls in our country. Breaking these taboos is a herculean task, as this generation is torn between respecting age-old beliefs of their elders and defying illogical, discriminatory societal norms.  As the current generation juggles between old age thought and progressive thought, it’s imperative that today’s young generations are freed from such negative biases and instead they ought to be taught that menstruation is a normal bodily function and females during such a fragile period of her life is deserving of love and compassion not discrimination. 

They ought to be taught that women on period are in reality the highest form of purity and they ought to be hailed for their strength and ability to endure excruciating menstrual pain in silence. And for the generation that still perpetuates menstruation stigma, it is imperative for them to comprehend that any rituals performed by discriminating and hurting innocent souls can seldom be considered pure and rarely attain their true purpose. It must be heard loud and clear that stripping women of their dignity on menstrual grounds is a heinous crime. Henceforth, it’s high time to silence the shame and stigma surrounding the period. The need of the hour is to fight menstruation stigma by promoting open dialogue so that a more inclusive and supportive environment for all menstruators is created. 

(The author is Director & Chief Instructor at Suva Consultancy & Training Institute.)