The women get their period (menstruation) once in a month. It is a biological process that every women have to face in their life time. In average, women/girls menstruate equivalent to 10 years of her life. Period taboo is around the globe. Guardian reports; In China only 2% of people who menstruate use tampons. This is due to the belief that; one who uses tampon could mean is no longer a virgin and it tears up the hymen. Due to the fact that, menstrual products are not affordable including shame and stigma—In UK, 137,700 of girls in had missed School in 2017. In India; women are not allowed to be in the Kitchen or attend ritual practices during period . 28% of girls in rural India said that they do not go to school during their period because they don’t have sanitary or affordable menstrual products. In Nepal, isolation from the family known as Chaupadi, no religious rituals celebrations or participation, no entry into Kitchen or allowing to sleep together with husband period are some taboos related to period. More than, 1 million girls miss up to six weeks of school each year in Kenya because of lack access to reliable menstrual products including shame and stigma related to it. Even in the US; the president Trump had said about Megyn Kelly that “You could see there was blood coming out of her eyes. Blood coming out of her wherever.” This resembles the mindset exist related to period even in the US. Addition this, 45 states impose sales tax on tampon in the US and no Safety Net Program for women who cannot afford tampons and pads. These are some of the examples of period taboo exist in the US. Menstrual taboo is align with culture and has been practiced since long time. In many cultures, Menstruation is considered as ‘unclean’ or ‘unsacred’—forcing women to boycott some daily activities during these time. Even in Victorian England; Dr. Charles Manifield Clarke had believed that “peculiar states of the uterus have frequently a share in producing madness, appears from the fact that between the years 1784 and 1794 eighty patients were admitted to Bethlam hospital, whose disorders followed shortly after the menstrual state”.
In broader sense, these taboo and period have significantly affected women’s productivity. According to the cross-sectional survey conducted among 32,748 Dutch women between the ages of 15 and 45, researcher theorizes the women’s average productivity loss is 9 days of total productivity loss per year.
Period, GBV & COVID-19
The world is witnessing the impact of COVID-19 and Nepal is no exception. Nepal has entered in the second stage of COVID-19 transmission as identified of local transmission in the Far Western Region of Nepal(As of April 4th, 2020). In Nepal(as of April 7th, 2020), 2122 people were tested. Among them, 2113 test results were found to be negative whereas 9 has been infected. In these test, 100 people are living in isolation and 1 is already recovered. According to Ministry of Health & Population, there are total 1029 ICU beds and 552 ventilators. Out of this, 278 ICU beds and 250 ventilators are in Kathmandu and 751 ICU beds and 302 ventilators are outside Kathmandu valley. Based on the situation analysis done by INSEC; Quarantine Centers in Nepal has lack of basic facilities such as toilets, bedding and drinking waters. Addition to this, there is insufficient medical gears—PPE(Personal Protective Equipment), digital thermometers, N95 Masks. Even Municipal authorities are asking for these medical gears.
So, underlining above severe conditions, such public quarantine centers, hospitals including home quarantine centers need to have special consideration in these days—How menstruating women are accessing those toilets and getting sanitary pads? Nepal’s supply chain has been semi halted and Nepal Government economic relief package for wage labour is only focused on food supplies (this includes 30 Kgs rice, 3 Kgs pulse, 2 Kgs salt, 2 Liters cooking oil, 4 packed soap and 2 Kgs sugar). But, is there any reflection by stakeholders to provide sanitary pads for women during this crisis days. Secondly, there are global reports of increasing domestic violence especially in Italy due lock down as women are forced to live with family members including perpetrators. Their work load i.e. Cook, Care and Listening family members has increased dramatically. Although, Nepali CSOs and Women Ministry in Nepal has shown some initiatives in addressing Gender Based Violence(GBV) in this days but their work plan seems limited. How they are going to reach the corners of the country despite the transportation and overall movement is blocked? How many women have access to the telephone services to report the violence. These are some of the questions which need to have special contemplation. So, observing on period, its taboo and as well its inter-linkage with GBV in this crisis time is critical.
Way forward
These above global trends, history and cultures had showed the deep penetration of period taboo. Whether it is the period taboo in the US, Kenya or Nepal; all of them are restricting women’s choices in the form of religion, culture, politics and society. So, eradicating period taboo can’t be done overnight. In the case of Nepal, one of the major things that it can do to eradicate period taboo( in larger sphere it is called period poverty) can be economic empowerment. Women’s involvement in economic activities provides them the ‘choice’ to live their life on their ‘terms’ despite social taboo that halts their overall empowerment process. Secondly, it is access to water, sanitation and hygiene facilities(WASH) during period, menstrual products which puts the women/girls in hygienic conditions at the time of period, availability of toilets and bathrooms to prevent women from eating, drinking and changing pad less frequently and attending regular classes for whole month to reduce their dropout rate. Other notable ways to eliminate period taboo can be serious media reporting on the conducted period taboo in society, discussion in academia, politics and media. BBC had reported about #FreePeriodStories in which campaigners hope to eliminate taboo by allowing women to share their period stories.
And, COVID-19 outbreak globally has put women on a situation where possibilities to negotiate for period taboo, sanitation and its inter-linkage with domestic violence. It is obvious, menstruation is a natural cycle and women have to naturally accept it. There should be a degree of acceptance by women regarding this. But, also elimination of societal taboo related to period, availability of pads and access to toilets and bathrooms should also come under the radar of the government in every crisis situation like this. There is also the significant role of the intimate partners to know about the issue and create favorable environment for their women in those days and also at this critical time after WWII. Above all, eradicating period taboo doesn’t have one line solution and not even easy in this lock down days of COVID-19. It is a process of continuous struggle.
