Recently in Nepal, a 21 year-old women was been reported dead due to being placed in her villages ‘Period Hut’. Her name was Parbati Bogati and she was the fourth women to die this year from the Period Hut. These huts, also known as “Chhaupadi” are secluded shelters, distanced from the village, where women are removed from their own homes and placed during their menstrual cycle for 5–10 days. These women are not allowed to touch other people or go near cattle or growing produce, due to the belief that the gods say they are ‘impure’ during this time. The cultural practice is belittling to women and often instills fear in the younger girls, who are experiencing menstruation for the first time.
In 2005 the Supreme Court of Nepal ruled the Chhaupadis outlawed, but they can still be found. Many families with younger girls continue the use of the huts in fear of the social stigmas that follow in their societies. The families believed if they were to stop banishing their daughters to the Huts, others in their villages would stop coming to their home and socializing with them.
Nepal is not the only place that young women are forced to face social stigmas in regards to their own natural bodies’ menstrual cycle. In India, for years and to this day, women have been forced to feel uncomfortable and ashamed because of their menstruation. These patriarchal beliefs can be so extreme, that some societies tell the women they are not to step onto holy grounds or touch any holy books due to their “impureness/dirtiness”. This toxic premise of menstruation has even lead to severe health issues for Indian women. In a survey conducted in 2011, it revealed approximately 70% of all reproductive diseases in India are caused by poor menstrual hygiene. Women all around India lack the supplies for a healthy and safe menstrual cycle, which leads them to use unhygienic cloths, paper, and even husk sand.
Young girls will even drop out of school when they get their first period because of the fear and embarssement of possibily revealing their menstruation to the public. This major influx of health concerns and toxic social stigmas, have produced a small group of women in rural Delhi who began their own revolution. These women have created their own “Pad machine” to manufacture and offer menstruation products to other women in their village. Their movement caught attention and is now a Netflix documentary called “Period. End of Sentence” which is nominated for best short documentary at the Feb. 24 2019 Oscar Academy Awards.
The History Of Menstruation
Historically women have always faced a mislabeled idea of what menstruation really means. The idea originally was believed that the cycles were linked to the phases of the moon. It also was attached to misinformed religious beliefs. Even when menstruation is celebrated, it is usually due to the fact that it marks the possibility of reproduction. Again, degrading a woman to make it seem her worth is only in reproducing. This is a harmful narrative for girls all over the world. The lack of conversation is inherently a form of misogyny and patriarchy. Even dating back to holy books, all sorts of religions are placing menstruation into this box to not be open. For example;
Quran 2:222
“And they ask you about menstruation. Say, “It is harm, so keep away from wives during menstruation. And do not approach them until they are pure. And when they have purified themselves, then come to them from where Allah has ordained for you. Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves.”
Or
Bible Leviticus 15: 19–33
“When a woman has her regular flow of blood, the impurity of her monthly period will last seven days, and anyone who touches her will be unclean till evening.”
These phobias of a woman’s menstruation, are dangerous and toxic. And while it is unsure of where these taboos originated, they won’t go away without talking about it.
THE PINK TAX
In 1879 the very first product was sold, called “The Hoosier Sanitary Belt” which came with washable pads to insert.
Then, in 1888, the first disposable menstrual pad called the “Lister Towel” was commercially manufactured.
Interestingly, it wasn’t until 1929, when the first tampon was created. That was less than 100 years ago.
Now, 2019, creator Miki Agrawal has created the “Thinx Panties” which are period-proof underwear that can hold up to 2 tampons worth.
The industry has definitely come a long way in creating comfortable and healthy female branded products, but this doesn’t mean it’s perfect by any means. A huge issue woman face, is the taxation of these necessary products. The HuffPost calculates that on average a women will spend almost $1,800 over the course of a lifetime on tampons, and that’s if the prices were to stay fixed. This estimated cost does not including the cost of pads, menstrual cups, panty liners, and any other product a woman may use in her lifetime. Campaigns have been launched over multiple countries demanding the removal of tax on tampons and other sanitary products. In many countries, these products are deemed ‘luxury items’ but if you speak to any women, she will most likely tell you menstruation is not a luxury. These items are a necessity, to the simple idea of just not bleeding all over yourself. This taxation is larger than just a cost. It’s becoming political. Many women have argued that viagra isn’t taxed, yet tampons are. Women all over the world just want accessibility and equity.
The Period Convention
Recently in New York the Period Con. has taken place. The orchestraters of the gathering have titled their slogan as “Leading the Menstrual Movement.” where they can “celebrate period and provide products to those in need”. The convention was organized by a group of young activist in the US ready to lead a dialogue about menstruation and the difficulties of it politically, economically, and socially in a safe space. This type of movement is so crucial for the female future. Too often women of all ages are fearful to discuss it. Think back to elementary school during health class, where most likely girls were collected into a separate classroom to have their own conversation about menstruation. But, this is a conversation that should be had with all, no matter what gender. Learning and talking about these topics should be encouraged. The stigmas surrounding menstruation need to be removed or else it will remain taboo and dangerous to the health and overall welfare of woman across the globe.
