Let’s Talk About Periods And End Stigma Attached To It!

Menstruation is a natural process that is a part of the female reproductive cycle. It is a normal bodily function that occurs in women every month. Yet, despite its common occurrence, periods are often shrouded in silence, shame, and stigma.

Period stigma refers to the negative attitudes and beliefs that surround menstruation. These include taboos, myths, and misconceptions about menstruation, as well as negative attitudes towards those who menstruate. In our society, period stigma has a significant negative impact on the health, well-being, and quality of life of young girls and women.

Many girls start missing school or dropout, when they start having their periods. This has a significant impact on their education and future prospects. In addition, women who are ashamed of their periods may be less likely to seek medical care when they need it. This can lead to serious health problems, including infections and reproductive health issues.

Breaking the stigma surrounding periods requires a multi-faceted approach. Here are a few ways we can work to end period stigma:

• Education: Educating people about menstruation is an important step in breaking the stigma surrounding it. This includes educating girls and boys about what menstruation is, how it works, and why it is a normal bodily function.
• Open conversation: Encouraging open conversation about menstruation can help to break down the barriers that exist around this topic. This includes talking openly about periods with friends and family members, as well as discussing them in public forums./li>
• Access to products: Ensuring that women and girls have access to affordable and hygienic menstrual products is essential in breaking the stigma surrounding periods. Lack of access to menstrual products can lead to embarrassment and shame, which can perpetuate the cycle of stigma.
• Supportive policies: Governments and organizations can play an important role in breaking the stigma surrounding menstruation. This includes implementing policies that provide access to menstrual products, as well as creating supportive environments for women and girls to discuss menstruation openly.

At CRY, we ensure that schools provide vital supplies like water and toilets, and other such resources so that girls feel comfortable and supported during periods. CRY’s on-ground teams are also focusing on collaborations with schools to develop period-friendly policies and initiatives that educate people about menstruation hygiene and provide girls with a safe environment.

To help create change, let’s take a pledge to move past period shame and all things associated with the taboo surrounding it.

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