Menstruation is a simple biological term but the impact it creates on our minds and society is HUGE. 

Period positive society- a frequently heard term but is our society period positive? I was 13 when I got my first period. I knew a little what period really meant. When I told my mother that I got my period she was very happy and excited.  I can clearly remember her calling all my relatives and telling them about it. I was really confused at that time. I did not understand why my mom needed to call my relatives and tell them about me getting my periods.  

As a 14-year-old, I got to understand what menstruation was when I was in 8th grade. I figured out the reason behind my mother’s excitement. The start of menstruation marks the glorious journey of womanhood but with this came many restrictions and cultural norms. These restrictions and cultural norms never really made any sense to me. “Don’t go in the kitchen.” “Don’t touch the pure water” “Don’t go in the temples or the puja room” were the words frequently heard from my mother’s mouth when I was on my period. I was not allowed to sit and dine alongside my family members or even take part in any religious events when I was menstruating. I followed them as I was told to do so by my mother.  As a young innocent girl, I was confused and at times used to enjoy this as I did not have to do any household chores. As I grew up, my insight on menstruation changed, I got to know these were just some superstitious beliefs passed on from generation to generation. I realized following such restrictions and cultural norms was useless and had no significant point.   

Menstruation is a biological process and there is nothing impure or dirty about it. After realizing that I began to fight with my mother telling her that these restrictions and beliefs were all nonsense. I demanded that I should be allowed to cook, go in the temples and do all the things I did when I was not on my periods.  It was tough to convince her. It took me years, but I never gave up fighting for the right thing. I was finally able to convince my mother that me doing the things I was restricted to do during my period is not going to bring any misfortune to my family. Slowly, she started to realize it as well. My voice was heard and I was not tied to such restrictions. I felt comfortable talking to her about my period. My mother supported me to talk about menstruation. When my relatives restricted me to take part in religious activities, my mother went against them. She helped me give power to my voice. I was able to bring a significant change in my mother’s perception of menstruation. Girls and women should not be violated of their rights simply because they are on their periods. Bringing about a change in perception regarding menstruation can be difficult at times but it is not impossible. This small change that I brought in my family led me to believe that big changes can be brought up by a small and simple step within.  

I feel proud to say that I go to temples and attend every religious activity even if I am on my periods. I don’t feel shy or embarrassed to talk about my period.  I bleed and I believe.  

 

Sumanjari Pradhan

YALC Kathmandu 2022