Menstruation and menstrual practices still face many social, cultural, and religious curtailment which are a big hurdle in the path of menstrual hygiene management.In many parts of our country even in the 21st century, girls in rural areas are not prepared and aware about menstruation so they face many difficulties and challenges at home, schools, and workplaces.It becomes imperative to create an environment where no girl should should have to use socks,cloth or newspapers or simply miss school,not enter temples only because she is menstruating.Bollywood has also done its part to create awareness about mensuration. The Movie Padman is All About Taboo Topic Menstrual Hygiene, Empowering Women.
Recently,a week long program was conducted by ABITA-UNICEF under the “RED DOT CHALLENGE” where the team shared their thoughts as well as spread awareness on the various taboo surrounding menstruation and bust myths that have always projected menstruating women and girls as a “non entity of the society” during the menstruating time period.
Our very own Miss world of India 2017 Manushi Chillar posted on social media that “Every young girl has the right to accurate information about her body.Without the right information,girls often don’t know how to safely manage their periods.It’s time to break the silence,because mensuration matters.” This is a cause to be addressed and it’s a phenomenal initiative taken by her.It is extremely disgraceful that there is a taboo in our society regarding menstruation due to which women could not share whatever they face during those days.Furthermore,in some areas people still treat women as impure and out various restrictions at that time.So, to eradicate this problem and to empower women this step will help a lot.
Menstruation hygiene should also be considered vital by a women.Some of the potential risk to health for poor menstrual hygiene are unclean sanitary pads/materials which may cause local infections,changing pads infrequently and wet pads can cause skin irritation,use of tampons when not menstruating can lead to vaginal irritation etc. Therefore women should take extra care of their hygiene during their menstrual cycle.