Journalism of Courage
This is an archive article published on May 27, 2023
On Menstrual Hygiene Day, Anshula Kapoor addresses period taboos with a powerful note
"It’s natural. And it’s a huge part of our lives, every single month. Yet most of us refuse to talk about it. a lot of us can’t even say 'menstruation' or 'period'," Anshula wrote
Anshula Kapoor addresses period stigma (Source: Anshula Kapoor/Instagram)
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On Menstrual Hygiene Day, Anshula Kapoor addresses period taboos with a powerful note
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Menstruation is a natural and essential process that occurs in the reproductive cycle of individuals with a uterus. It is a monthly occurrence where the lining of the uterus sheds, resulting in vaginal bleeding. Despite being a normal bodily function which half the population goes through, periods have unfortunately been always shrouded in unnecessary stigma and taboos across different cultures and societies. Addressing the same is Anshula Kapoor who penned a powerful note ahead of Menstrual Hygiene Day on May 28, Sunday.
For the unversed, Menstrual Hygiene Day is an annual observance which breaks the silence, raises awareness and changes negative social norms around menstrual health and hygiene. It also engages decision-makers to increase the political priority and catalyse action for the same, at global, national, and local levels.
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Talking about the same, Anshula Kapoor wrote that everyone born with female reproductive organs menstruates. “It’s natural. And it’s a huge part of our lives, every single month. Yet most of us refuse to talk about it. a lot of us can’t even say ‘menstruation‘ or ‘period’. We call it ‘that time of the month’ ‘chums’ and so many other names. Why are we so scared of it?” she asked.
Expressing her hope that “we can normalise it one day soon such that both men and women can talk about it as normally as they would talk about the last TV show they liked watching”, Anshula said that that she would really love living in a world where stores don’t hide pads and wrap it in layers of newspapers or black bags.
“A world where boys and girls aren’t separated into different classrooms in school when it’s time for period education. I dream of a world where women aren’t treated differently and are banned from doing mundane things like cooking or going to places when they menstruate. A world where we aren’t considered impure or unclean when we’re on our period,” the 32-year-old wrote.
Anshula emphasised that it’s normal for us to menstruate every month. “It’s not in our control. And it’s not something we should be ashamed of or made to feel lesser for,” she said.
Towards the end, she asked everyone to join her in having a conversation about periods with the people in their lives so that we can remove the taboos surrounding menstruation. “We must include all genders in the conversation if we are to normalise it, and we certainly must educate boys about menstruation if only to make them be more empathetic towards their female friends and partners when they stain or are in emotional or physical distress or even when they are in need of menstrual supplies,” Anshula concluded.
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