Worth The Whisper?

Humankind has been on this planet for approximately 3,00,000 years and even after this much of time a natural human phenomenon – menstruation is still seen to be a big whoo-whoo to talk about. The physical problems faced by the women during these times still seem bearable as compared to the social stones thrown over them. Even the most developed and modern countries can’t just let things rest at peace.

The problem begins with the biased approach towards periods during childhood itself. On one hand, where guys are silenced about it leading them to feel hand coughed to lead a helping hand to women, the girls’ side remains full of chaos in the learning of tremendous effects of physical and social dos and don’ts. This intensive difference also leads to many other emotional gulfs during the long run.

Due to the lack of knowledge men often end up making things awkward or even at times offensive by their actions or comments. “Is it that time of the month?” often acts like salt on the hurt of the male-dominated world. As if women can’t get upset about anything but just PMS. The fact that the parental generation and the schools never talked to men as to how they should act if they see a stain on the back of a woman; they end up messing up or making things extremely awkward pushing women further into the feeling of isolation.

The feeling of anger and frustration is obvious in women due to the extra expenses and efforts they need to put in to ‘keep things right’. The issue of paycheck difference hasn’t yet been resolved and one can’t even imagine putting down the demand for ‘monthly paid mensuration holidays (or work from home)’. Especially after seeing the history of the ways in which the women have got ‘punished’ to be a woman makes the feeling of self-hatred and self-pity more persistent.

The word ‘fair’ has been removed from the facial cream commercials in India and now women just await for the sanitary pads’ company to put down the word ‘whisper’ from their brand name. Not only that; having men in the pads’ commercial would be a great step in showcasing the ‘normal’ side of the whole ‘fuss’.

It’s high time now that the governments should put down all the taxations put onto every product related to mensuration and if possible they should even fund the companies so that it is provided to women for free. This journey needs to get started from the households where both the genders are given equal knowledge about the whole process. This will not only make the men feel empathetic towards women but also make the women feel more comfortable in their skin which will definitely bridge the gulf. It would be like a cherry to the cake if the schools organize sessions and classes in education to these.

Menstruation is not something which women ‘go through or suffer’. Period.