World Menstrual Hygiene Day observed on May 28 is to change the social stigma associated with menstruation.
Studies have shown that out of approximately 355 million menstruating women in India, about a third use only cloth for their menstrual hygiene management. Only 38 per cent of menstruating girls in India spoke to their mothers about menstruation.
The significance of the date is very relevant- the menstruation cycle for most women is 28 days and the cycle lasts for five days. The theme of 2021, “Action and Investment in Menstrual Hygiene and Healthy.’’
Break the silence
Somehow in today’s fast-paced world, there still is a stigma attached to the natural monthly cycle of women. The vision behind observing the day is to create a world where every girl and woman manages her menstrual hygiene without any shame. This can happen only when the culture of silence prevalent still in the society around the natural phenomenon breaks and we as a society openly talk about these important five days (the monthly cycle can vary) in a month with dignity and not taboo or shame.
Nearly 23 million girls drop out of school annually due to a lack of proper menstrual hygiene management facilities. This lack of menstrual hygiene is leading to serious health issues for women in the country.
Time to wake up and accept & discuss all matters associated with the periodic cycle of women.
