‘Why don't we talk about it?': Period taboos continue to impact young girls
On World Menstrual Hygiene Day, as the city grapples with this pervasive issue, young women have opened up about how periods remain a topic clouded in silence and stigma.
"Awareness is our biggest barrier. It is incredibly hard to change long-held practices. People do not even know about affordable sanitary pads or existing govt support because we don't talk openly about menstruation. Our National Education Policy (NEP) mentions menstrual health, yet schools rarely teach it.
Why should NGOs or activists even need to explain something so natural in the first place?" said Ranu Singh, a menstrual educator who has been conducting workshops for the past five years.
"In my workshops, I see strong resistance to change. As a male educator, I often find girls uncomfortable due to the ingrained secrecy around menstruation. Men need to be educated too; they need to step forward. Many schools still refuse to discuss it, often deferring to female teachers or outright denying access.
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I have even been turned away because I am a man discussing a girl's topic," he added.
"Bringing in schemes is not enough. The govt needs consistent monitoring and evaluation and teachers must be trained to teach on such topics. Regular workshops are crucial. Most women use sanitary pads, but there is a huge gap in knowledge about sustainable options like menstrual cups and tampons, which are often unavailable here in shops and not advertised.
I use comics, animated videos and posters to educate in my workshops," he said.
Priyanka Kumari, a resident of Krishna Nagar, said "When I was 12-13 years old, I got my first periods. At that time, I was completely unaware of what was happening and thought it might be some kind of disease. Due to lack of knowledge, I used cloth during those initial days. It was not until I discussed it with my mother that I gained a proper understanding of menstruation and how to manage it."
Kanak Lata, a 19-year-old from Kankarbagh, said, "I got my periods when I was 14-15 years old, and now, at 19, I can reflect on how little I knew back then. Initially, I was clueless about what menstruation was or how to handle it. It was only after experiencing it firsthand that I began to learn more. My understanding improved significantly when I studied about menstruation in school and gained additional insights through social media.
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"However, despite awareness, certain myths still persist. For instance, my mother advises me against using tampons or menstrual cups, suggesting that these products are only suitable for use after marriage. Unfortunately, such misconceptions about tampons and menstrual cups are quite common, even though they can be more comfortable and healthier options for managing menstruation," she added.
Priyam Sharma, another local, shared how she, like many others, hesitates to talk about menstruation with male family members. "When I need sanitary pads, I tell my mother to buy it for me or I buy it myself," she said.
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