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Pinkishe Foundation
24/8/24
Obedullaganj, reflecting the rich heritage of Madhya Pradesh, holds historical significance. However, history has left behind stigmas and myths that continue to cripple the lives of women and girls, prohibiting them from leading better lives.
Saira, a young mother, arrived at her in-laws' home with hope in her eyes, ready to start a new journey. After a few years, she was blessed with a child. While juggling the challenges of motherhood, she should have been experiencing boundless happiness. Instead, she encountered a harsh reality—she was deprived of feeding her child. The reason? Outdated beliefs about menstruation deemed her impure and unfit to breastfeed.
Saira's narrative resonated deeply, shedding light on the enduring stereotypes and discrimination women face even in the 21st century. Her experience of being prohibited from breastfeeding because of her period reflects the myths that history has left behind.
Saira is not alone. Mothers like her are often denied the basic act of feeding their children due to a lack of awareness about menstruation. This is something people don't talk about, and it perpetuates harmful practices.
Trupti Dwiwedi, a volunteer from Pinkishe Foundation, is dedicated to organizing menstrual health and hygiene sessions across different areas of Madhya Pradesh. Aware of the situation, she has engaged herself in the betterment of these women and girls. Trupti organized one such event in Obedullaganj, interacting with the local women to understand their issues.
During one of these events, Trupti encountered Saira. Initially hesitant to share, Saira mustered the courage to speak about her ordeal. She described how helpless she felt during her period, how a simple bodily function felt like a curse. The other women in the crowd could relate but remained silent. After all, isn’t this very normal? Women being judged as impure—this is their reality.
Moved by Saira's story, Trupti was determined to make a difference. She spearheaded a groundbreaking initiative in Obedullaganj—an empowering session on menstrual hygiene coupled with the distribution of free pads for women. Her aim was to educate the women about their bodies and empower them to stand up for themselves.
Saira's story serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive discrimination in our supposedly progressive society. Her experience, sadly not unique, echoes the silent struggles of countless women across communities. It underscores the urgent need for ongoing efforts to challenge and dismantle archaic beliefs and practices surrounding menstruation.
It is alarming that while ancient cultures once revered menstruation as mystical or viewed it through punitive lenses, today, many still cling to outdated notions of ritual uncleanness regarding this natural bodily process. This disparity highlights the enduring challenges women face globally and emphasizes the critical importance of education, advocacy, and policy changes to promote menstrual equity and dignity for all.
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