"Can men support during periods?"
"Ssh! Do not cry so loudly. Your father and brothers are in the dining room having dinner. Drink this cup of warm water and rest in your room. Your pain will subside soon", the mother said to her daughter, who is having menstrual spasms.
It is already difficult for a girl to discuss menstrual problems with their father, brother, and male members of the family. Even just talking about periods is frowned upon in our society today. A daughter hesitates a number of times before telling her father or any male member of her family about her month-to-month cycle. In truth, many tend to hide behind their mothers and let their mothers speak to their fathers.
Does this really mean that men do not have any role in periods? It's a big NO!!!!
Men have an exceptionally vital role in periods at personal, family, community, and national levels. Let's talk about a few of them.
The primary step towards any change begins with ourselves. A clear concept, a positive mindset, and an open attitude are essential for this. At the personal level, men, as fathers, spouses, brothers, and companions can spur their spouses, mothers, companions, and sisters to use sanitary products instead of dirty clothes. Inspiration, empowerment, and education, as well as open discussion from the male side about the monthly cycle and its related issues, can help ladies open up even more. Household chores, taking care of babies, and other family work are duties of men as well.
Similarly, social media is becoming a part of our daily lives. Different media posts concerned with menstruation can be shared with female companions, sisters, and family to make them aware. Even in school, male students, and teachers can make a safe and secure environment for girls instead of laughing, bullying, and neglecting these things. Likewise, mood swings and irritations are common during menstruation. Love, care, support, and consideration are needed by every female in their period. Men can assist women by giving them warm water, buying chocolate, buying sanitary products, and helping with their work.
Additionally, as the head of the family, men can make an open environment for their daughters, spouse, and other female members to open up about these things. In my home, I can openly tell my father if I need sanitary pads or if I'm facing any difficulties, especially during the first few days of my period. These small gestures can give consolation to girls in those 4-5 days when they require more emotional support. Also, our body loses nearly 60-90 ml of blood causing a higher requirement of nourishment (iron, vitamins). Accessibility to a nutritious diet can be provided by men as well. Resources like: Sanitary pads and hot water bags can be given by male members. Additionally, taboos like restrictions on kitchen entry, no temple visits, and sleeping alone can be discouraged by male members. If father and brother debilitate these taboos, no one can pressurize young ladies/ girls to follow them.
Presently, in a patriarchal society, male individuals are the decision-makers of the community. Regardless of whether they discuss legislative issues, cricket, the stock market, or business, if they can discuss and make decisions in favor of their female members, they will be able to solve many social problems associated with menstruation. They should take a full stand.
In the context of our nation, Chhaupadi is highly prevalent in the Far Western region. Girls are obliged to stay away from their houses and live in non-ventilated, small houses without sanitation and proper water management. Changing the deep-rooted practice is like moving a hill, but it doesn't mean we can't modify it. Men can make a ventilated, lit, secure, roomy, clean room for their daughters for their monthly cycle. It also helps to keep their daughter safe.
Presently, at the national level, our decision-makers are mainly men. They, after being in power, should work and take decisions in favor of females, enabling them to make decisions for themselves. At present, a packet of sanitary pads costs 50-100 rupees. It causes female issues in buying them. So, lowering the cost together with distributing pads in needed areas can be done by male decision-makers by reducing taxes, making pads in our own country, and adopting other alternative methods. The curriculum can contain menstruation-related topics to empower and educate girls. "Role of men" in the context of menstruation can be included in the curriculum.
Father and Brother are the strength of any girl. Their love and support in this matter are essential for any female. So, in spite of believing in old beliefs, and following them blindly, let’s break these practices and bring a new change.
Periods are no shame. It is the beginning of new life and the universe.
“No shame to bleed”