Often, the deepest casualties of war are the ones that don’t find words. Silenced, we believe they don’t exist, as they surreptitiously mock human rights, etching stains forever. Menstruation. Imagine your fifteen year old self (yes, men too). Idealism, passion and dreams of the future. You were probably studying in a school, with fans at least and single gender bathrooms, with latches and running water. You probably had a group of friends and evenings...
All you need to know about it There’s a subject that has been taboo for a long period of time, and unfortunately, continues to be so — Menstrual health and hygiene. This very taboo has prevented women and others from discussing the important concerns of menstruation, and the effect it has on their health. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is the name given to the physical, psychological and behavioural symptoms that occur two weeks before a female’s menstruation...
Isn’t it time to make the eco-friendly switch? Environmental impact caused by sanitary waste is one of the significant topics in discussions today. A plastic, industrially manufactured, disposable sanitary pad requires about 500–800 years to decompose. Thousands of tons of disposable sanitary waste is generated every month all over the world. 432 million pads/ sanitary napkins are generated in India annually, the potential to cover landfills spread over 24 hectares. This is a ridiculous amount of pollution which...
The significance of dialogue and discussion around ‘the red week of our month’. Why do we hesitate to say that we bleed Yes, every month for at least thirty long years It is blood that flows through our vagina But unfortunately on rags and cloths Even the privilege of sanitary napkins Is wrapped in whispers you see We say it’s that time of the month And that is enough a reason To cancel our trips, dance classes And even a temple visit Why do...
Menstrual blood is where each of our lives began. Red dots of shame Why are we ashamed? To talk about the power our vaginas have! Have you too felt embarrassed to ask for [insert menstrual hygiene product here] at the medical shop? Have you too used euphemisms like ‘the time of the month’ or ‘monster days’ so that you could talk about your period evasively? Have you too stealthily sneaked pads into your bathroom? Stop. It’s time to start talking about...