About Time Boys In India Are Sensitised About Menstruation

It is the need of the hour to take men and boys into consideration and have conversations regarding menstruation to deal with the stigmas and myths surrounding the topic.

Not many boys or men have thorough knowledge when it comes to menstruation and as a result, women tend to suffer in silence. Hence, it is essential to create awareness of menstruation in boys and men so that they can provide a supportive, comfortable, and friendly environment for women.

Sensitising Men About Menstruation

Menstruation is a natural process that a woman gets on a monthly basis. It involves the shedding of the uterine lining along with releasing the blood. It is a pivotal topic and needs to be discussed openly with boys and men. Since men don’t get periods, the perception needs to be changed regarding it on an immediate basis so that they care for women and don't look down upon them.

There is a lack of awareness about menstruation in men: In rural areas, women fail to use pads and stick to unhygienic things such as newspapers, cloth, or leaves. Thus, they fail to change these things from time to time and suffer from infections. Many girls in rural areas drop out of school due to a lack of proper infrastructure. Most construction sites, where women are working with men, face problems while menstruating due to the lack of a good toilet facility. Even at shops or malls, women hide their menstrual hygiene products so that men cannot see them as they can get embarrassed. Men should be aware of this subject and help women with proper water and sanitation facilities.

There are taboos linked to menstruation and women are labelled as unclean and impure. By encouraging conversations about this topic, we can help men to understand it and support women. Men need to gain knowledge about the impact it has on the day-to-day lives of women so they can be sensitive to their needs. Men should take utmost care of women during pmsing and period pain. They should help women in doing the daily chores or other household activities.

Strategies to engage boys and men in menstruation

1. Education should be the only priority: Many men and boys don’t have enough knowledge about the biological process and difficulties faced by women face at school and at workplaces. The education must be given to boys in school reproductive health and sexual health covered through lesson plans and clear all the doubts in their minds.
2. Ensure that men listen to women: A boy or a man should be attentive when it comes to concerns of women around menstruation and be compassionate towards them.
3. Menstrual products should be made a vital part of everyday life just like buying any other products. Women should not be shamed for buying menstruation products. Even they should be provided with good sanitation services at the workplace.

By Dr Padma Srivastava, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Motherhood Hospitals, Pune.

Image Credits: Hindustan Times

Suggested reading: Girl Gets First Period, Brother Kills Her Assuming Affair: Call For Menstruation Education!