Celebrating World Menstrual Hygiene Day: Breaking Taboos and Promoting Dignity

 

When is World menstrual hygiene day celebrated?

World Menstrual Hygiene Day is celebrated annually on May 28th. This date was chosen symbolically to represent the menstrual cycle: the 28th day of the month highlights the average duration of a menstrual cycle, and May, being the fifth month of the year, underscores the average five days of menstruation. The day aims to break the silence and raise awareness about the importance of good menstrual hygiene management, advocating for the rights of women and girls to manage their periods safely, hygienically, and with dignity. Through global advocacy and action, World Menstrual Hygiene Day seeks to challenge taboos and promote education about menstrual health.

What is the purpose of celebrating World menstrual hygiene day?

The purpose of celebrating World Menstrual Hygiene Day is to raise awareness and educate people about the importance of good menstrual hygiene management. It seeks to break the silence and challenge the stigma and taboos surrounding menstruation, advocating for the rights of women and girls to manage their periods safely, hygienically, and with dignity. The day emphasizes the need for access to menstrual products, proper sanitation facilities, and education about menstrual health. By doing so, it aims to empower women and girls, promote gender equality, and ensure that menstruation is not a barrier to education, work, or overall well-being. The ultimate goal is to create a world where menstruation is seen as a natural and normal part of life, free from shame and discrimination.

How is World menstrual hygiene day obsereved in India?

In India, World Menstrual Hygiene Day is observed with a range of activities and initiatives aimed at raising awareness and promoting better menstrual hygiene management. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), government bodies, schools, and community groups organize various events, such as educational workshops, awareness campaigns, and distribution drives for menstrual hygiene products. These events often focus on educating both girls and boys about menstruation to reduce stigma and promote gender equality.

Schools and colleges frequently hold seminars and interactive sessions where health professionals provide information on menstrual health, the use of sanitary products, and the importance of hygiene. Community health workers may visit rural areas to distribute sanitary pads and educate women and girls about their use and disposal.

Social media campaigns and public service announcements play a significant role in spreading awareness on a larger scale. Influencers, celebrities, and activists often participate to reach a broader audience and normalize conversations around menstruation.

Additionally, some organizations undertake infrastructural initiatives, such as installing sanitary pad vending machines and improving sanitation facilities in schools and public places. Overall, the observance of World Menstrual Hygiene Day in India aims to break taboos, ensure access to menstrual hygiene products, and empower women and girls to manage their menstruation with dignity and confidence.

Challenges faced in explaining the menstrual cycle to villagers

• Explaining the menstrual cycle to villagers can be challenging due to a variety of cultural, social, and educational factors. Some of the primary challenges include:
• Cultural Taboos and Stigma: Menstruation is often considered a taboo subject in many rural communities, leading to a reluctance to discuss it openly. This cultural stigma can make it difficult to initiate conversations about menstrual health.
• Lack of Education: Many villagers, especially women and girls, may have limited access to education and may not have received any formal instruction on human biology and reproductive health. This can make it harder to explain the scientific aspects of the menstrual cycle.
• Misconceptions and Myths: There are numerous myths and misconceptions about menstruation that prevail in rural areas. These can range from beliefs that menstruating women are impure to superstitions about activities that can or cannot be done during menstruation. These false beliefs can hinder the acceptance of accurate information.
• Language Barriers: In many rural areas, there might be linguistic barriers if the educators do not speak the local dialect or language fluently. Effective communication requires not just linguistic skills but also an understanding of local idioms and cultural references.
• Privacy Concerns: Discussing menstruation can be seen as a private matter, and women and girls may feel embarrassed or uncomfortable talking about it in public or mixed-gender settings. Ensuring privacy and creating a safe space for these discussions is crucial.
• Resource Limitations: Villages often lack access to adequate resources, such as sanitary products and clean water, which are essential for proper menstrual hygiene management. Without addressing these practical needs, education alone may not be sufficient.
• Gender Norms and Roles: In many rural communities, strict gender roles can limit the participation of women and girls in educational sessions, especially if these sessions are led by male educators. Involving female health workers or educators can help mitigate this issue.
• Addressing these challenges requires culturally sensitive approaches, involvement of local leaders and influencers, use of visual aids and simple language, and ensuring that educational efforts are coupled with the provision of necessary resources for menstrual hygiene management.

The Menstrual Cycle: A Simple Scientific Explanation

The menstrual cycle is a monthly process that prepares a woman's body for pregnancy. It involves several stages and key parts of the female reproductive system:

• Ovaries: These are two small organs located on either side of the uterus. They produce eggs (ova) and hormones like estrogen and progesterone.
• Fallopian Tubes: These are tubes that connect the ovaries to the uterus. After an egg is released from the ovary, it travels through the fallopian tube.
• Uterus: Also known as the womb, this is a hollow, pear-shaped organ where a fertilized egg implants and grows into a baby. The lining of the uterus (endometrium) thickens each month to prepare for a potential pregnancy.
• Cervix: This is the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. It allows the flow of menstrual blood from the uterus and directs sperm into the uterus during intercourse.
• Vagina: This is the canal that connects the cervix to the outside of the body. It serves as the passage for menstrual blood, sexual intercourse, and childbirth.

The Menstrual Cycle Stages

Menstrual Phase (Days 1-5):

• The cycle begins with menstruation, when the thickened lining of the uterus is shed and exits the body through the vagina as menstrual blood.
• This phase lasts about 3 to 7 days.

Follicular Phase (Days 1-13):

• Overlaps with the menstrual phase initially.
• The pituitary gland in the brain releases a hormone called follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which stimulates the growth of follicles in the ovaries. Each follicle contains an egg.
• As the follicles grow, they produce estrogen, which helps to rebuild the uterine lining.

Ovulation (Day 14):

• A surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) from the pituitary gland triggers the release of the mature egg from the ovary into the fallopian tube. This is called ovulation.
• This is the most fertile phase of the cycle.

Luteal Phase (Days 15-28):

• After ovulation, the empty follicle transforms into the corpus luteum, which secretes progesterone.
• Progesterone further thickens the uterine lining to prepare for a potential pregnancy.
• If the egg is not fertilized by sperm, the corpus luteum breaks down, causing progesterone levels to drop.
• The drop in progesterone triggers the shedding of the uterine lining, starting a new menstrual cycle.
• Visual Aid
• To simplify, imagine the menstrual cycle as a monthly event where the body prepares a cozy home (the uterus) for a guest (a fertilized egg). If the guest doesn't arrive, the body cleans out the prepared home and starts fresh for the next month.

Conclusion

World Menstrual Hygiene Day, celebrated annually on May 28th, serves as a crucial platform to raise global awareness and educate communities about the importance of menstrual hygiene management. This symbolic date, chosen to reflect the average menstrual cycle, emphasizes the need for open dialogue and the dismantling of taboos surrounding menstruation. The day aims to ensure that women and girls can manage their periods safely, hygienically, and with dignity, advocating for access to menstrual products, proper sanitation facilities, and comprehensive education on menstrual health. By promoting these goals, World Menstrual Hygiene Day strives to empower women and girls, advance gender equality, and foster a world where menstruation is normalized and free from stigma and discrimination.