South Asia’s Menstrual Revolution: Farah Ahamed’s 'Period Matters' Takes Center Stage.
“It is not surprising that one of the names for menstruation is 'the curse’.” — Shashi Deshpande (Menstrual Matters)
Despite being a natural and healthy biological process, menstruation remains a topic shrouded in secrecy and stigma across many parts of the world. Even in the 21st century, we are still striving to promote open discussions about menstruation and menstrual health. According to a 2018 UNICEF study, a staggering 2.3 billion people worldwide lack access to basic sanitation services. In the least developed countries, only 27 percent of the population has access to a hand washing facility with water and soap in their homes. This lack of essential facilities poses a significant challenge for women and adolescent girls when it comes to managing their periods at home. Additionally, approximately half of the schools in low-income countries do not have sufficient access to drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene resources, which are essential for girls and female teachers to manage their menstruation comfortably. Inadequate facilities can negatively impact girls' experiences at school, leading to absenteeism during their periods. It is crucial that all schools ensure the availability of running water and provide safe, clean toilets for adolescent girls.
When discussing the situation of menstruation in South Asia, the topic is often met with silence, and women are treated as if they are untouchable and excluded from society during the five to seven days of their menstrual cycle. According to research conducted by The Borgen Project, there is a significant lack of understanding about periods among many girls in South Asia due to the taboo nature of the subject, and it is frequently overlooked in schools. For instance, in India, 10 percent of girls believed that menstruation was a disease, and 66 percent of girls in South Asia had no prior knowledge of menstruation before experiencing their first period. A study involving 160 girls in West Bengal revealed that while 67.5 percent were aware of the concept of menstruation before their first period, a staggering 97.5 percent did not know the source of menstrual bleeding. The education system has often neglected to provide information on reproductive health, but there are signs of this beginning to change. Additionally, a study conducted in Nepal indicated that 89 percent of respondents practiced some form of exclusion or restriction during the menstrual cycle.
Now, returning to the main focus of this blog, let’s turn our attention to the crucial topic of 'Period Matters’.
What is 'Period Matters' about?
Farah Ahamed’s collection 'Period Matters' challenges conventional attitudes and initiates an open dialogue on the subject of menstruation, particularly addressing the social stigma associated with it in South Asia. Through a blend of essays, artwork, short stories, and interviews, Ahamed delves into the intricacies of the menstrual cycle. She explores the unique experiences of both cisgender and transgender women, shedding light on the societal limitations imposed upon them solely because of the natural occurrence of menstruation.
Highlighting key aspects of the book and discussing the particular topics that personally caught my attention -
Unveiling the 'Panties With Purpose’: Redefining Purpose in Every Pair.
The book commences with the inception of 'Panties With Purpose,' which Farah Ahamed initiated alongside her two sisters back in 2011. Their primary objective in launching this endeavor was to champion menstrual health and amplify understanding regarding the adverse consequences faced by young girls in Kenya, who were missing up to sixty school days annually due to limited access to menstrual hygiene products. In its initial stages, the organization solicited contributions in the form of underwear and sanitary pads rather than monetary donations.
Kotahalu Mangalya: A Cultural Curse of Sri Lanka’s Feminine Legacy.
'Kotahalu Mangalya' is a traditional menstrual ritual observed in Sri Lanka. Within this specific chapter, Zinthiya Ganeshpanchan, one of the co-authors of 'Period Matters,' shares her personal menstruation experience and the unusual customs she encountered. Zinthiya recounts that when she began menstruating, her mother promptly secluded her in a room, ensuring she had no contact with male family members. Menstruating girls were regarded as having negative associations, leading Zinthiya's mother to provide her with a betel nut cracker to place under her pillow, believed to ward off evil spirits.
During menstruation, girls were required to wear clothing associated with washerwomen, who were part of an untouchable community. Additionally, an astrologer was consulted for menstrual cycle insights and future predictions, a practice similar to 'Kundali' in India. The Kotahalu Mangalya ritual commenced with the girl seated on a mat covered with unhusked rice, followed by a ceremonial bath with water and flower petals. This was accompanied by the breaking of a coconut into two equal parts, symbolizing the girl's transition into womanhood. To further celebrate this milestone, a joyous family feast was organized to congratulate the girl on her entry into womanhood.
Beyond the Broom: Christian Women Sweepers' Journey through Lahore’s Menstrual Realities.
In an interview with Christian women who work as sweepers in Lahore, they expressed their difficulties, stating that, “Men predominantly use public toilets. As we don’t have access to any restroom facilities, we are forced to use the same sanitary pad for extended periods, leading to discomfort, pain, and itching.” According to a survey, major Pakistani cities such as Karachi, Lahore, and Peshawar suffer from a lack of sufficient and clean public restroom facilities. These facilities often lack running water and are primarily used by men. Shockingly, in Lahore, a single public toilet is expected to serve one million residents. The absence of public toilets presents insurmountable challenges for female sweepers during menstruation, and unfortunately, their domestic situations do not provide much relief.
Chhaupadi’s End: Activist Champions Dignified Menstruation in Nepal.
In Nepal, the phenomenon of menstruation is known by various terms such as "par sareko," "bahir sareko," and "she’s gone to the maternal house." In the western region of Nepal, menstruation and the associated customs are commonly referred to as "Chhaupadi," "Chhui," or "Chhui Pratha." Women who are menstruating face numerous dietary restrictions, and they are also limited in terms of physical contact and participation in everyday life. Chhaupadi is a cultural practice among Nepalese people in which menstruating individuals are segregated and excluded from various societal activities during their menstrual cycles. This practice can be seen as a form of isolation imposed on women in Nepal.
The Radha Paudel Foundation’s 'Dignified Menstruation' initiative in Nepal adopts a comprehensive human rights perspective, advocating for a fundamental change in how we perceive menstruation. Rather than focusing solely on hygiene, this initiative strives to promote the idea that menstruation should be associated with dignity. The foundation’s overarching goal is to guarantee that everyone who menstruates, including transgender men, is treated with equal dignity and is not subjected to any form of violence, abuse, shame, or harm because of their menstrual cycle.
Breaking the Silence: Afghan Women Tackle Menstrual Realities.
In 'Period Matters,' Mariam Siar, one of the co-authors, discusses the menstrual challenges faced by Afghan women. According to a research study jointly conducted by UNICEF and Afghanistan's Ministry of Education, a significant 70 percent of girls do not have access to bathing or showering facilities during their menstrual cycles. Additionally, more than half of them have limited knowledge about menstruation prior to experiencing their first period.
In traditional Afghan households, the onset of menstruation often marks the time when a girl is considered for marriage and childbearing. Consequently, many Afghan girls and women tend to keep their menstruation a secret out of fear that their families might prevent them from attending school or marry them off prematurely.
Rupi Kaur’s Menstruation Posts Spark Controversy on Social Media.
Rupi Kaur, the Canadian poet and illustrator, shared her 'Period' photo series on March 25th, 2015, as part of a university project. However, her post was taken down within 24 hours due to its violation of community guidelines and being deemed offensive. The post didn’t face removal just once, but actually twice. In response, Kaur ironically expressed gratitude to Instagram for their apparent stance of not endorsing period-related content while permitting the sharing of nude images on their platform.
As a female reader, 'Period Matters' has vividly illuminated the dire state of menstrual awareness and hygiene in South Asian nations. This book convincingly underscores the significance of addressing menstruation in our society. Moreover, it doesn’t just shed light on the challenging aspects of menstrual health but also delves into the positive developments and awareness campaigns aimed at improving the situation.
Exploring this novel more extensively, I discovered 'Anandi: India’s Inaugural Certified Compostable and Biodegradable Pad.' Additionally, the book raises awareness about the challenges confronted by transgender women during their menstrual cycles. Shashi Tharoor, one of the contributors to this work, elaborates on the 'Menstrual Rights Bill,' which delineates its aim to address menstrual equity and emphasizes the government’s responsibility to supply menstrual hygiene products to women in government schools and public institutions.
In wrapping up this blog post, I want to emphasize that 'Period Matters' is a remarkable work of literature. It serves as a comprehensive exploration of menstruation, promoting awareness, health, and hygiene. This novel serves as an inspiration for individuals to drive change, raise their voices, and break down the stigmas surrounding menstruation. Ultimately, it underscores the importance of acknowledging that periods matter, period awareness is crucial, and period rights are significant.
As we reach the end of this blog, I’d like to close with a poem authored by yours truly, Aditi Debnath, the writer behind these words :
“Ladies, gather 'round, let’s illuminate our souls,
With voices strong, proclaim, and let it roll,
"My crimson river flows, a sign so pure,
I am, indeed, a wellspring, forever sure.
It's nature's rhythm, a sacred dance I perform,
With grace and strength, my spirit takes form,
I stand unshaken, in this monthly tide,
A testament to life, in me, does reside.
So let the world hear, and let them see,
In every drop, my fierce femininity,
For in this flow, I find my grace,
I am woman, in every embrace.”
