Menstrual Hygiene Day, May 28: Periods! Chums! Menstruation! Months! And what not? Menstruation talk is treated as the most hush-hush topic in our society but it needs to be addressed with the highest regard.
Periods are one of the most significant processes a woman’s body undergoes. Therefore, it is no wonder that we tend to get flustered with the idea of getting our very first period, often forgetting to pay attention to the need for ensuring good menstrual hygiene.
In most parts of countries, girls still avoid going to school when they are in their months. Women in rural areas or in poverty-ridden nations still use paper, cloths, and other harmful materials such as dried leaves and plastic as a substitute for sanitary pads.
“Menstrual health is a human right. Yet, menstruation can result in discrimination, stigma, and exclusion against women and girls,” the world body tweeted on Friday.
The theme of Menstrual Hygiene day 2021 is “Action and Investment in Menstrual Hygiene and Health.”
Menstrual health is a human right.
Yet, menstruation can result in discrimination, stigma & exclusion against women & girls. More from @UNFPA on Friday’s #MenstrualHygieneDay: https://t.co/KWbrSF8jmM pic.twitter.com/c3pc6plJHX
— United Nations (@UN) May 28, 2021
Menstruation is not a dirty word. Let's talk about it! #MenstrualHygieneDay pic.twitter.com/mPTcCuhXG7
— UN Women (@UN_Women) May 28, 2021
History and Significance of May 28
German-based NGO WASH United chose this day in 2014 to advocate for good menstrual hygiene across the globe. The date 28 was chosen as most women have their periods for 5 days and May is the 5th month of the year. The cycle tends to occur every 28 days, thus May 28 was marked symbolic for this day.
Significance of this day:
The day holds a lot of significance as it aims to break the silence and changing the negative social norms and shatter taboos surrounding menstruation. It is also meant to create a safe space, where no woman or girl is limited by something as natural and normal as her period.
Let’s acknowledge the constant effort by the Northeastern people in destigmatizing menstruation and focusing on hygiene and reproductive health on the occasion of Menstrual Hygiene Day.
On this auspicious occasion of Menstrual Hygiene Day, let’s bust some period myths:
Myth: Avoid eating Spicy Food
Fact: The truth is some women experience more pain than others during Chums. If you are prone to acid reflux and gas issues, you should only avoid the foods that contribute to those conditions.
Myth: Menstrual blood is impure
Fact: The blood discharged during the menses is not impure or defiled and is very normal.
Myth: Entry in religious places are prohibited
Fact: On attaining puberty, the female uterus starts forming a cushioning layer of tissues to receive and nourish the fetus on a periodic basis. When the baby isn’t conceived, the body flushes out the cushioning tissue and consequently some blood, which we observe during our period.
Myth: Do not touch the pickle jar
Fact: Menstruation has nothing to do with pickles going bad and should not stand in the way of women entering the kitchen.