In India, millions of menstruators drop out of school and miss out on opportunities in the workforce because of period stigma and a lack of access to menstrual hygiene resources. Many also face restrictions in participating in family life and in practising their faith during their period. These taboos that stem from the idea that menstrual blood is somehow ‘immoral’ or ‘impure’ are unscientific, misogynistic and absurd.
Pickles will not spoil, temples and kitchens will not be contaminated, you can wash your hair, you can play sport/exercise if you wish, you can eat whatever and wherever you choose, you can meet whomever you like, and you can have sex when you’re on your period.
What you do or don’t do while on your period should be a matter of personal choice, not a predetermined and oppressive social script. If you feel like taking a day off, that’s fine; if you don’t feel like exercising, that’s fine. If you’re not into temple visits in any case, that’s fine. If you don’t want to have period sex, no problem. But we deserve to be able to make these choices based on how we feel on any given day, rather than have them made for us…
