Saturday, May 28, 2016

Sharing: GLOBAL MENSTRUAL HEALTH & HYGIENE DAY

I was barely eleven when I had the shock of my life one morning, when I found myself bleeding profusely. I had had no warning, no clue. I was scared of talking about it to anyone. What in case I had contracted some terminal disease? I belonged to a lower middle class, large, joint family. I thought that my grandparents and parents would be heart-broken if they knew about it. Maybe I would pray hard and it would go away. It didn't for the next three days. Left with no choice and with my heart in my throat, I confessed to my Grandma that maybe I was dying a speedy death. It was later that I got to know that I was menstruating. I was early and that's why they had not told me. They were going to, in the next year or so.

Even later, I always felt dirty, each month when I got my 'periods'. We were five sisters and then my mother. Six women, taking turns, sitting separately, like untouchables, in our own home. I have always questioned all religious practices, much my Grandma's chagrin and irritation. But I never stopped. Somewhere over the years, I decided that this practice will not be followed in my own home.

When my daughter was born, I decided even when she was a babe-in-arms that I would teach her differently. On her tenth birthday, I taught the wonder of menstruation. I told her how thrilling it is to be a woman, to be the vehicle for creating a new life, to play a major role in pro-creation. I told her how without periods, it's not possible for a baby to be born. So much so, she began to look forward to growing into a woman, to receive her "chums" with open arms. And neither she nor I is a pariah in our home, during those three days. And no, God hasn't run away from our house. He's very much alive here. 

And it's time to show the world how it can be.

Today is GLOBAL MENSTRUAL HEALTH & HYGIENE DAY! So, here goes...

PATH is going to be rolling out globally around menstrual hygiene

http://shesjustgettingstarted.org/

Please do take 2 minutes to look at the 'period to possibility' video on this link.  
We are inviting you to be part of a global campaign that will launch on 'Menstrual health and hygiene day'. While this topic is still a taboo in India, there is an immense need to talk about 'Menstrual health and hygiene'

Look at it this way: Imagine your niece, daughter, friend's child is just reaching her adolescence and does not know about the menstrual cycle. Imagine the shock she may experience on something different happening to her suddenly. Imagine the shock you experience when you came of age (considering no one spoke to you about it). 

She is just getting started, Help us in helping her!   

Also, find below some very interesting data points:

1.         88 percent girls and women who menstruate use unsafe materials
2.        66 percent of girls are unaware of menstruation before their first period
3.        70 percent mothers think periods are dirty
4.        66 percent girls and women manage periods without toilets

Handling a normal physiological event is hugely complex, influenced by socio-cultural norms and the larger political environment that shape how girls experience their periods, what they can do while menstruating, what they can use to absorb menstrual blood and how they dispose the material, whether and from whom they can seek information and help, and even whether they stay in school or not.

The positive message for community is / the appeal to your audience / take home message :

We can help give girls a greater chance of success. With information, support, and  access to affordable menstrual care products, she’s more likely to stay in school and to  grow up confident and strong, so she can contribute to her community and the world. But she needs our help. Why? Because she’s just getting started. 


Nancy Muller's video on 'Why sanitary napkins?'



8 comments:

  1. Have you heard about the Menstrual Cup. Its life changing, environmentally friendly(no pads going in garbage & not decomposing for eons), one time investment, etc too many benfits to list.

    Check SheCup or Rustic Art.

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  2. Thank you mummy ������

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  3. I would say, thought provoking. We must make effort to change the prejudiced look in our society towards women and menstruation which is very natural.

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    1. Exactly my point. Thank you for stopping by Vishal, and posting a comment

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  4. Oh tell me about it! went through the same and it freaked me out too! Loved the way you broke the taboo with your child and loved your post...this is a great initiative and much needed.

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