"Silent Shadows: Navigating Menstruation Taboos in the Darkness"
Long white skirt with a pink shirt, shining like a princess, with a bright smile, she was getting ready to leave for the school. That day her excitement level for going to school was at its peak since it was her best friend’s birthday. After her mother finished doing her hair, she stood and carried her backpack hurriedly.
Suddenly, her mother said quietly, “Don’t move. Stand still and don’t open your eyes.” She was directed to enter a room beside the animal shed.
“Now, you can open your eyes”, her mother uttered.
She was standing still, confused and unaware of the situation. “What happened, mother? Why did you bring me here? I will be late for my school. I have to reach early so I can wish my best friend on her birthday and show her the gift that I have prepared for her” she said questioningly. Hundreds of questions were running through her head why would her mother do this when it was already her school hour?
Her mother answered calmly “You’ve gotten your first period. Therefore I asked you to close your eyes, to avoid looking at the sun directly. You should look behind your skirt.”
Turning back to see behind her skirt, she saw blood stains in her white skirt. Her eyes started welling up. Getting her first period should be normal but her eyes only showed traces of fear. Reminiscing when she used to see her mother during her period, she used to hope, for menstruation to never occur in her life. As a child, she used to question her mother, “Why do you sleep in another much shabby house, near the animal shed, which smells awful rather than sleeping in your room? Why can’t you cook food? Why don’t you worship a god like you usually do?” And the answer that she received was the unexpected, “Menstrual blood is impure. When you are menstruating, it’s a sin to touch male members, and worship god” said her mother nonchalantly. That answer was never agreeable to her, even as a child. She couldn’t come to an understanding for that explanation. The thought of staying alone in a dark room where sunlight couldn’t even pass was always a nightmare to her. But that certain morning her nightmare became reality. Her mind was still processing the whole scenario of the first menstruation thing.
She was just 10 years, too young to understand the process she was going through. Never once in her life, she had slept alone. The nighttime scares the most out of her. The feeling was worse than being in jail to her. In the daytime, rushing to the washroom to avoid sunlight contacting her in any way, the only human contact was when her sister used to deliver food and basic items, doing dishes only at nighttime when everyone was asleep and being locked down alone, made her first menstruation one of the most depressing and gloomy experiences of her life. In those seven days, she battled against her worst fear.
After seven days of her tussle, she was finally allowed to be under sunlight. She felt as if she had won the hardest battle. Although she was now allowed to be under the sunlight and attend school, she was still not permitted to enter the kitchen, worship god and touch male members of the family for the next 14 days.
During her second and third menstruation, days of darkness reduced to 4 and 1 respectively. After her third menstruation, she didn’t have to face complete darkness but still, she had to follow the restrictions of not being able to enter the kitchen, sleep in her room, touch male members, worship god, and so on till 4 days.
After going through every restriction regarding menstruation in her house, her curiosity and yearning for knowledge and truth grew stronger. She always questioned the cultural beliefs and restrictions imposed during her period. The answer to, why these practices were rooted in shame and seclusion, determined her to find answers. She embarked on a journey of self-education and empowerment. She sought out information about menstrual health, challenged societal norms, and connected with activists advocating for menstrual equity.
Armed with knowledge and a newfound sense of agency, the young girl resolved to break free from the darkness that surrounded menstruation. She began to challenge the taboos within her own family and community, engaging in open conversations about the importance of menstrual health and destigmatizing menstruation. Her courageous efforts began to shift the narrative, paving the way for a more inclusive and supportive environment for menstruating individuals.
As the young girl continued to navigate the challenges of menstruation, she discovered a growing network of individuals and organizations who shared her vision of change. Together, they created safe spaces for open dialogue, provided access to menstrual hygiene resources, and worked towards dismantling the age-old taboos that had long oppressed women and girls. With each step forward, the young girl found herself embracing the light of empowerment and liberation.
The young girl's journey is not just her own. It echoes the experiences of countless girls and women worldwide who have faced the weight of menstrual shame and discrimination. By sharing her story and advocating for menstrual equality, she became a catalyst for change, sparking conversations and inspiring others to challenge societal norms. She realized that true progress lies in ensuring every menstruating individual can experience their period without shame, restrictions, or isolation.
Her journey through the darkness of menstruation taboos highlights the urgent need for change. It calls upon us to challenge the silence, shame, and isolation surrounding menstruation and embrace a future of inclusivity and equality. By educating ourselves, promoting open conversations, and advocating for menstrual health rights, we can collectively create a society where menstruation is celebrated as a natural and powerful aspect of womanhood. Let us walk together towards a world where no young girl or woman is confined by cultural taboos but is instead empowered to embrace the light of her menstrual journey.
