Missing the Menstruation amidst COVID-19 (original) (raw)
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Menstruation: A biological phenomenon and NOT a social stigma, Period
2019
Female Menstruation is a natural biological process, a manifestation of the female reproductive abilities, so significant that the existence and proliferation of mankind are dependent on it. However, its social impact in defining the way women were perceived and treated across generations worldwide is far more significant than its biological genesis. The societal taboos related to menstruating women and their ostracization within their household has resulted in mental and physical agony for women since ages. With the passage of time, the scientific genesis of menstruation got obfuscated and obliterated in the dominant rule of patriarchal powers. Menstruation became subject of taboos instituted by religious patriarchs and individuals to oppress women and have control over their actions. The irony remains that most of these practices are defined and adopted based on the convenience and beliefs of the community or even individuals with little or no religious or scientific evidence. The study throws light on the institution of menstrual taboos across the globe, primarily India, and its effect on social and mental conditions of females. It also juxtaposes these practices against the well-established religious phenomenon of worshipping the menstruating goddess (Kamakhya) in North East India. It exposes the various ironies existing in our society and attempts to establish a narrative for the contemporary social relevance of menstrual practices and its future evolution in line with our social progression. It also advocates that amends should be made now so that women are not mocked, mistreated or embarrassed for something as natural as menstruation.
Women's Studies International Forum, 2017
Social science and public health research has pointed to, firstly, the challenges women face in terms of the management of menstruation and, secondly, to the negative symbolic associations made with the menstruating body. This research, however, seldom engages with philosophical issues relating to embodied subjectivity in order to explain and understand the trends noted. In this paper, we attempt to bridge the divide between feminist theory and current research on the menstruation-related challenges facing women today. We provide a feminist phenomenological account of menstruation in which women's shared bodily lived experiences of menstruation-the body as situation-are set within contexts that enable and/or restrain freedom-the body in situation. This account allows us to understand the universal and differentiated aspects of menstruation and menstrual management, thereby providing a nuanced picture of the interplay between the physical occurrence of menstruation, the symbolic associations made with menstruation, and the socio-material, historical and political conditions within which women live. Such an account, we suggest, should inform advocacy around public policy and institutional civic society that promotes the freedom of women to engage in important life projects, and ground public health interventions around menstruation related challenges.
Social Exclusion of women during menstruation research gate
The life of a woman comprises of many episodes which present distinct situations, sometimes leaving her startled at turns. She has been created biologically different from the male counterpart. Nature has bestowed some of its own qualities to woman. This endurance in woman is similar to the endurance that Mother Nature depicts. Both of them display a courageous outsight that enables them to endure the pain that becomes the basis of existence of the mankind. But more than often, these biological differences between men and women become discriminatory for women. Generally, the first chapter of the woman's story unfolds when she is born and the societal differences in expectations and upbringing decide the availability of opportunities and level of her development. Women, in almost all civilizations of the world are treated differently not just because they are biologically distinct from men, but because their biological differences are measured on the social yardstick, which is often not so friendly to women. As she learns to become adept to the so called ideal feminine ways practiced in her society, she is heralded by a major biological phenomenon called menstruation in which monthly discharge of blood from the uterus of nonpregnant women takes place from puberty to menopause. The age at menarche has fallen down from 16 years to 9-13 years in recent past. This is in contrast to the psychological strength and maturity of girls to face and accept this biological change. The girls many a times are not aware of menstruation and encounter the first episode as some major health problem, often shrugged in ignorance and embarrassment. Since in India, talking about sex is a taboo and reproductive health is not a priority in the families, girls often find themselves grappling with this natural biological phenomenon. They are treated as untouchables, and disfavoured with separate bedding, utensils, restriction to movements etc. As a result, girls tend to drop out from schools and are given in early marriage on reaching puberty. Apart from that, menstruation is shrouded in a mysterious obscurity, especially from males. The bodily discomfort due to shredding of uterus walls is certainly not so much, until it is aggravated by the unwanted practices associated with periods. The effects of the physiological stress are largely social and psychological and culture plays a predominant role in the treatment bestowed to menstruating girls. With menstruation, a new chapter of the girl's life unfolds-she is now eligible to procreate-which becomes the basis of justification of her very own existence. Is she aware and prepared to undergo this journey-her life certainly undergoes massive change which usher with menarche. Is it the nature's methodology to preempt her about the life ahead; and develop abilities to endure pain, shame, guilt, apathy, discrimination, sacrifice and tolerance. This marks the beginning of womanhood-the longest chapter of woman's life. This paper is an attempt to empirically understand the same biological, social, cultural and psychological milieu that women undergo due to menstruation cycle.
Menstruation And Hygiene: A Bio-Cultural Perspective
In Rashmi Sinha (Ed.). Anthropology and Health, 2019
Menstruation is defined as the periodic blood that flows as discharge • from the uterus. Also called menorrhea, the time during which menstruation occurs is referred to as menses. The menses occurs at approximately 4 week intervals to compose the menstrual cycle. 1 Menstruation has always been associated with pollution, so it is a clear sign of dirt that needs to be hidden and controlled (Merskin, 1999). Menstruating women make up a community which remains under the veil of social pressures, as words remain unspoken of it in the wider circle of society. Social norms compel a woman to seclude herself to a community which abhors menstrual sufferings (Jackson and Falmagme, 2013). Different codes of behaviour get associated with it, thus resulting in an 'Identity' for menstruating woman which becomes a part of the feminine role. This role-play is passed on from the mother to a daughter, and the trend goes on. Menstruation is a social stigma. Unlike other social stigma, menstruation is an implicit rather than a visible stigma because women do a great deal of effort to conceal it (Oxley~ 1998). T~e men-folk remain unaware of the problems that are associated wi th it. Women are the propagators of their own subjugation. They push men away from the truth of this biological process and surround it w_i th al~ secrecy and confinement among themselves. The comm~nica~IOnt:e taboos and secrecy relating to menstruation always remains wi th • Menstru. ation and H. YB•ene • 117 tber, daughter and other members f h ~~or 1urner's (2002) Liminality can ie ~:\ menstruapng commu. '/11.•ch be talks about the attributes of Um• ll_placed in this see ?•~• w1,1
A Sociological Study of the Stigma and Silences around Menstruation
Vantage: Journal of Thematic Analysis
In most Southeast Asian countries, menstruation is surrounded by various cultural and religious taboos. In India too, menstruation is a tabooed topic, surrounded by silence and secrecy. The main sources of information about menstruation for young girls are their mothers, sisters and friends. However, due to the shame associated with it, such information is often partial and incorrect. This often has adverse effects on the mental, physical and reproductive health of young girls in India. Millions lack the facilities and resources they need for menstrual hygiene. This paper focuses on the need to break the stigma and silences around menstruation. It emphasizes the need to shift focus to health and hygiene practices of women in India.
Cultural Barrier at the time of Menstruation: Perspective from Girl Students
Nepal Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 2019
Culture is man-made; one belief system originated with the human civilization. It has bounded the people within one common belief system. Culture determines the personality of people. Here, the main objective of this study is to find out the cultural barriers to girls at the time of menstruation. The study was conducted among the 120 girls of secondary level school. The study found that 50% girls reported that they were deprived to carry out the daily activities like cooking and fetching water and more than 80% girls shared that they were deprived to go in religious places at the time of menstruation. The result founds that still the cultural practices have created the stigma and discrimination towards the girls at the time of menstruation which has direct effect in their personal and professional growth and development as well as it has also significantly affected in the menstrual hygiene management. So, there is need of massive awareness program to society about the negative impac...
Menstrual Health and Hygiene -Leave No One Behind in South Asia
WASH Field Note , 2022
"Achieving menstrual health requires access to information about the menstrual cycle and self-care, materials, water and sanitation facilities and services to care for the body during menstruation, access to timely diagnosis, care and treatment for menstrual discomforts and disorders, a positive and respectful environment free from stigma, and the freedom to participate in all spheres of life throughout the menstrual cycle" (Hennegan et al, 2021) Remarkable positive changes in Menstrual Health and Hygiene (MHH) have been achieved in recent years. But it is still the case that many women and girls are not being reached; transgender men and nonbinary persons face even greater challenges accessing needed resources, infrastructure, and support. And even in those communities that have seen such changes, we know that ongoing effort and attention is needed if the changes are to be sustained. The 2022 Menstrual Hygiene Day celebrations encouraged the world to redouble our commitment to ensure no one is left behind with MHH services because of who they are or where they live. The interventions described in this note illustrate how UNICEF programmes in South Asia have reached women and girls at risk of being left behind in MHH programmes, including those whose interests are systematically overlooked. Those denied the opportunity to realize their full potential or to share in progress, include out-of-school girls (Afghanistan), children with disabilities (Bhutan), people living in vulnerable settings (Cox's Bazaar, Bangladesh), hard to reach places (the Maldives), ethnic minority people and scheduled tribes (India) and gender-based violence linked to taboos and norms regarding menstruation (Sri Lanka).
A COMMUNITY BASED STUDY ON KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES OF MENSTRUAL
Background: Adolescence is a transitional phase of life linking childhood to adulthood during which major physical, psychological and social changes occur. The objective of the study was to find out the knowledge regarding menstrual hygiene and practices during menstruation among adolescent girls Methods: A community based cross sectional study in Nandivargam sub centre. The study included all girls in the mid and late adolescent period i.e., age group 14-19 years. We used simple random sampling technique to select 20 girls from 12 villages, so as to compensate the non response. An interview schedule was prepared for data collection. The data was entered in MS excel and analyzed in Statistical Package for Social Sciences 21.0 version (SPSS). Data was expressed in proportions and percentage.
“Taboos and Myth” – Indispensable Part of Menstruation: An Overview
Asian Pacific Journal of Health Sciences
Menstruation is a physiological condition for women in their life span. Menstruation is a common fact as blood from the uterus passes into the vaginal canal. It is a normal phase that begins in girls between the ages of 11 and 14 and is one of the first signs of puberty. It has, however, still been surrounded by taboos and myths that keep women out of certain facets associated with this issue. Many societal taboos regarding menstruation affect women’s emotional well-being, mindset, lifestyle, and, most importantly, health. As a result, a strategic approach to combating these issues is very much required. This paper aims to discuss common menstruation myths and taboos in various parts of the world. This issue also creates a significant impact on women’s sociocultural lives. Even though it is a disorder that only affects females, it has always been shrouded in mystery and myth. Menstruation taboos keep women out of certain facets of social and cultural life. This restriction spreads p...