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Menstruation- a biological process of the female body. That’s how precisely and scientifically one can define the monthly cycle. But periods, as it is known colloquially, has been existent since the evolution of mankind and the reason why women can reproduce. But sadly, this natural course of the body has always been regarded with shame, filth, and disgust.
For centuries in India, women have been shunned and shamed when they undergo periods. The word ‘period’ and its regional translations have been considered a taboo to be even mentioned. Parents, teachers, friends, and society members have influenced women over generations to shield it from people, because “it’s a bad thing to announce your menstruation to the world’.
As societies evolved, women resorted to using code words and pseudo names to describe and discuss their menstrual cycle with friends and families, like some ‘dirty secret’. And surprisingly, a majority of females around the world, irrespective of their culture and status, use cryptic codes when they cannot say ‘periods’ out loud, to state that they are undergoing menstruation, without being stigmatized.
Here are a few common terms and phrases (and English translations of their respective regional terms) used to define ‘periods’ by women. And here’s what we think about each of them:
As humorous as these phrases may sound, they are harmful in a way to the entire female community and their psyche. On the contrary, women need to be encouraged more to talk about periods and their menstrual health in the open. By hiding period discussions behind code words, women are not only leading themselves to more darkness about their own health but also further stigmatizing a natural order of our biology.
Even today, millions of women are unaware of menstrual health and hygiene, leading to numerous diseases, some leading to death or the inability to bear a child. that is where organizations like NIINE strive to make women, young, and adolescent girls aware and educate them on menstrual hygiene so that they can stay healthy and enjoy their womanhood.
Niine team
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