Bashing the menstrual myths- Harshita Gambhir

"She woke up that morning

Aware that she’ll have cramps

She continued her work

But then appeared some red stamps

Menstruation is not a disease

That we stare at the stain

She is strong enough to suffer the pain

It doesn't make her filthy or impure

She shouldn't be barred at the door

And to those who call it a curse

We all started as cell in mother's womb

Accept this reality, don't assume

Its her body doing the job

To keep that girl healthy , fit and fine

Her worth, periods can't define

Educate her if it's the first time

Stop blaming her, it's not a crime

Its normal and we all should be aware

Be helpful and take her care"

Going secretly to the market , whispering that we need a sanitary napkin and finally getting it at home after hiding from male members of the family. Crying because of cramps but abstaining ourselves to tell anyone.

Doesn't it feel like a war fought by a girl every month ? Period stain spotted in public;indeed one of the worst nightmares of a girl.

One such incident happened with a 10 year old girl. She was in 5th grade,at school,sitting with her head down and holding her tummy due to excruciating pain. Her parents were called and she was sent back home. When she went to the washroom , she saw the stains but assumed it to be diarrhea. She attained puberty much earlier, which didn't let her mother question whether it was truly diarrhea. It was when her grandmother saw her skirt and realized that she was menstruating. Instead of providing knowledge and explaining how to tactfully handle such a situation, she was scolded by her mother and grandmother.

We all know that initially, menses are irregular and so was with her. Her cycle was normal for two months but then she didn't get her periods for the next 6 months.

Not menstruating for months made her grandmother and mother skeptical of her virginity. They cruelly questioned her whether she got into a sexual relationship or was raped by someone. All they knew was that periods stop only when a woman is pregnant. Had they known enough, she wouldn't have been mentally broken and her character wouldn't have been questioned.

Another story goes back to when I visited a nearby slum area for my summer vacation project. I was interviewing people about the changes they wanted in their surroundings. I entered a small room of a house and talked to everyone except a girl who was just sitting in the corner , swollen eyes and looking at the ceiling. I tried approaching her but her mother held my hand saying "Don't go near her , it's HER THAT TIME". How she explained in code words left me gobsmacked. Soon I quietly went to her and asked, what are the changes you wish to see. Teary eyed all she said was " I don't want to be isolated and barred from doing my work. I am forced to use a dirty cloth due to lack of money" and then she started crying.

Enough knowledge about menstruation should be provided to all the people. Be it a man or a woman , everyone needs to know that the menstrual cycle can be irregular and it is to use the same filthy cloth which might lead to genital infections.

Isn't it weird that a girl on her periods immediately becomes untouchable and impure? Questions her character. If it's too early and irregular, she might have lost her virginity and if menarche is late, is she even a girl?

When will people stop objectifying and commence understanding that it's all okay and normal.

Wrapping sanitary pads under the layers of newspaper to hide the original pack isn't okay . Normalize buying tampons ,pads and menstrual cups. It's just like buying a basic necessity.

Team BIOTALE met some school going girls and shared our knowledge with them. Hence we all should take an initiative to end myths about menstruation and introduce facts to the people.