#SHUT THE SHAME- BREAKING DOWN MENSTRUATION STIGMA TOGETHER

While world over, feminism and women empowerment are being celebrated, Menstruation is still considered a taboo. At home the issue is not even recognized and at work, the discussions are avoided. It’s high time that besides #equalpayforequalwork, #womenempowernment and many such “popular” hashtags, we discuss women health. Despite being a common occurrence, menstruation is still considered a taboo topic in many cultures and societies. The stigma around menstruation has resulted in women feeling ashamed, embarrassed, and even ostracized during their periods. Menstruation is a natural and important process that women experience every month and its high time that not only women, but even men and organizations speak about and support women on this issue!

The Stigma Surrounding Menstruation

The stigma surrounding menstruation has existed for centuries and is deeply rooted in cultural and social beliefs. In many cultures, menstruation is considered impure or dirty, and women are often segregated from society during their periods. This can result in women feeling ashamed and embarrassed about their periods, and it can also lead to physical and mental health issues. The stigma surrounding menstruation has also resulted in a lack of access to menstrual products and education. In many countries, menstrual products are expensive and difficult to obtain, and girls often miss school during their periods. This lack of access can perpetuate the shame and stigma surrounding menstruation, as girls are unable to fully participate in society during their periods.

#shuttheshame

To shut the shame around menstruation, we need to work towards empowering women and promoting inclusion. This can be achieved through a variety of methods, including education, access to menstrual products, and the normalization of menstruation.

1. Education: Education is key to empowering women and promoting inclusion. We need to educate both men and women about menstruation, including its importance and the physical and emotional changes that occur during a woman's menstrual cycle. Education can also help to dispel myths and misconceptions surrounding menstruation.
2. Access to menstrual products: Access to menstrual products is essential for empowering women and promoting inclusion. We need to ensure that menstrual products are affordable and readily available to all women, regardless of their socio-economic status. This can be achieved through the provision of free or subsidized menstrual products, as well as through the distribution of menstrual products in schools and community centers.
3. Normalization of menstruation: To promote inclusion and empowerment, we need to normalize menstruation. This means discussing menstruation openly and honestly, and acknowledging that it is a natural and important process.

A number of initiatives at the National level have also been undertaken, for instance, promoting use of sanitary napkins and free of cost access to girls in government schools as part of the nationwide Swachh Bharat Abhiyan; providing menstrual hygiene products to women in rural areas under the National Rural Health Mission; and other several awareness campaigns to promote menstrual health and hygiene, such as Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign, for education and empowerment of girls. The Menstrual Hygiene Day, observed annually on May 28, aims to break the silence and shame surrounding menstruation and promote menstrual health and hygiene. Various NGOs and women-led organizations have also taken up the cause of menstrual hygiene; for instance, a Delhi-based NGO, has been working to provide menstrual products to women in rural areas to promote menstrual health and hygiene. In recent years, there has been a rise in the number of films, TV shows, and documentaries that address the issue of menstruation and break down the stigma surrounding it.

Role of Men

The film "Padman" released in 2018 was based on the life of Arunachalam Muruganantham, a social activist who invented a low-cost sanitary napkin-making machine. As evident, Men play an important role in shutting the shame around menstruation by playing an active role in promoting menstrual health and breaking down the stigma associated with it.

• Breaking Down Myths and Misconceptions: One of the most significant ways that men can contribute to breaking down the stigma around menstruation is by educating themselves about the myths and misconceptions that surround it. These myths and misconceptions not only perpetuate stigma and shame but can also be harmful to women's mental and physical health. Men can help to break down these myths and misconceptions by learning about the menstrual cycle and the physical and emotional changes that occur during this time. This can help to dispel negative beliefs and attitudes and promote a more positive and informed view of menstruation.
• Advocating & Community Building- Men can also play an active role in supporting women's menstrual health. This can involve simple acts such as purchasing menstrual products for female family members, friends, or partners or encouraging women to seek medical attention if they experience any issues related to their menstrual cycle. Men can also work to make menstrual products more accessible to women in their communities. This could involve volunteering at local organizations that provide menstrual products to women in need or advocating for government policies that promote access to menstrual products.
• Creating Safe Spaces- Women should be able to openly discuss their periods without fear of judgment or stigma. Men can help to create these safe spaces by normalizing the conversation around menstruation and encouraging open and honest discussion. This can help women to feel more comfortable discussing their menstrual health and can contribute to a more supportive and inclusive community
• Challenging Gender Roles: Men are challenging traditional gender roles that have perpetuated the menstrual stigma. They are recognizing that menstruation is a normal bodily function and that women should not be shamed or ostracized because of it.
• Supporting Women: Men are supporting women who are working towards breaking down menstrual stigma. They are recognizing the importance of listening to women's experiences and supporting them in their efforts to promote menstrual health and hygiene.

In conclusion, menstruation is a natural and important process that should be celebrated, not stigmatized. To shut the shame around menstruation, we need to work towards empowering women and promoting inclusion through education, access to menstrual products, and the normalization of menstruation. By working together, men and women can create a world where menstruation is celebrated, not stigmatized. By doing so, we can create a world where women feel empowered and valued, regardless of their menstrual status. society is evolving around menstruation stigma in India; While there is still a long way to go, these efforts are contributing to a more inclusive and empowering society where menstruation is no longer a taboo topic! 

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