There has been a lot of discussion on menstrual taboos over the last two days, perhaps more than I have ever seen.
While, as a woman, I am delighted that the topic is out in the open, it is disturbing to see the communal tone given to it, without asking-
Why menstrual taboos?
1/
While, as a woman, I am delighted that the topic is out in the open, it is disturbing to see the communal tone given to it, without asking-
Why menstrual taboos?
1/
Menstruation takes place when the uterus sheds its lining and the tissue is flushed out of the body by blood. During this time, the body loses upto 35 ml of blood, and the process can be traumatic.
The body needs rest. And menstrual taboos originated from this need for rest.
2/
The body needs rest. And menstrual taboos originated from this need for rest.
2/
Ask a woman to sit quietly, and she will defy you because there are too many chores that cannot be put off. So the only way to get her to rest is to tell her she is not permitted to work.
When taboos started out, they declared a woman 'impure' only to force her to rest.
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When taboos started out, they declared a woman 'impure' only to force her to rest.
3/
Unfortunately, as with anything else that involves women, it was turned into a tool to suppress.
Women were isolated, shamed, humiliated for something that is not in their control. There are even cases of women who died because medical care was denied because of the taboo.
4/
Women were isolated, shamed, humiliated for something that is not in their control. There are even cases of women who died because medical care was denied because of the taboo.
4/
Different communities, and different families within them follow different taboos.
Instead of trying to prove that one is better than the other, we need to understand why the taboos were created in the first place, and work to remove the taboos that don't make sense
5/
Instead of trying to prove that one is better than the other, we need to understand why the taboos were created in the first place, and work to remove the taboos that don't make sense
5/
Personally, I am glad to see men participating in the discussion. Because women need the support of men if they are to get the rest their bodies need.
This is a time when men have to pick up more of the workload, so the women get a little more rest than they normally would.
6/
This is a time when men have to pick up more of the workload, so the women get a little more rest than they normally would.
6/
And let us not discount the need for rest.
"Don't indulge in heavy activity when you have your periods", I was told when I was young. I had to rebel by running faster and playing harder. My 30s were spent battling gynecological issues (coincidence or cause-effect, don't know).
7/
"Don't indulge in heavy activity when you have your periods", I was told when I was young. I had to rebel by running faster and playing harder. My 30s were spent battling gynecological issues (coincidence or cause-effect, don't know).
7/
On a different note, while we think menstrual taboos are regressive (and they are), it is amusing to read about the Red Tent Movement, which is rooted in the same principles but comes from a feminist perspective.
Different strokes for different folks.
8/8
huffingtonpost.co.uk/vanessa-oloren…
Different strokes for different folks.
8/8
huffingtonpost.co.uk/vanessa-oloren…
And this @TukdeGangMember
Does this tell you I approve? @TukdeGangMember
