"A few volume of blood don’t define woman’s purity"
Dashain, the greatest festival of Nepalese culture was on the way. With great excitement , I reached my home to celebrate it. And then, the day arrived where we were supposed to receive tika and lots of blessings from our elders. All the people were jubiliant and were in a good mood to celebrate. Meanwhile, woman was sitting isolated from others in one nook of the bed. It was only later I recognized her as my aunt, unlike other on the room, the amount of happiness on her face was null. With great dilemma I asked about the cause of her situation , and her reply was the sentence “ I am on my periods”. I thought “ How on earth does the blood from same women from different organ bring the relatives even the husband near and far.”
Menstruation is not only a physiological issue but also psychological and social issue in Nepalese society. Menstruation is a natural process occurring in every women during her reproductive age. At this period, she becomes mentally and physically weak. Despite this, our society gives a lorry of psychological strain to her stating that she won’t be participating in the normal social rituals and festivals of the community. She is forced to sit in one room with menstrual cramps and sheer psychological strain in her head and she is expected to be happy despite all stress. Women prepares to give the family happiness with a “gift of god” by this very process of menstruation but the same family considers this process as a curse.
Prohibition of women from social customs during her period is prevalent in almost all society of Nepal. Illiteracy and lack of involvement of male in removing of such misconceptions are the major cause of such practices. Even the educated families follow such malpractices. Perception regarding menstruation should be changed in the society with the active involvement of male. As the society is male dominated , male can support and encourage the family to discontinue such practices. They can also share their knowledge to the other members and erect themselves as an exemplary role model.
A few volume of blood don’t define woman’s purity. Misconception regarding menstruation must be removed and it’s not going to be done by any other person, it’s us , we should take the step from ourselves in our thinking and perception because change starts from the individual. It is painful to watch our mothers, sisters, aunt in physiological and psychological pain in merry making moment with the family, right ??
