These Community Support Centres ‘Swabhiman Kendra’ are envisioned as a safe learning space and a common point for women to coalesce, learn, collectivise, and support each other.
A session on to build understanding on menstrual health and hygiene and busting myths around menstruation was conducted with women domestic workers of Gurugram. A total of 36 women joined and participated in the interactive discussion on 27th January.
The issue of menstrual health and hygiene is less discussed among the women and their daughters, and it is something which is of least priority for the women domestic workers amidst their other challenges. In a study conducted by Martha Farrell Foundation during the second wave of Covid 19 clearly revealed that among 1900 menstruators, 71% switched to old clothes during menstruation. Proper menstrual hygiene and wellness was a challenge in communities even before lockdown.
The session focused on initiating a discussion about menstrual wellness. The women domestic workers were explained about the process of menstruation and how it is related to changes during the adolescence. The prime focus was to encourage women to talk to their daughters about menstruation as a natural process. The women were also explained about the various types of menstrual products for their knowledge. The urgency of maintaining cleanliness during the menstruation was explained to them. The method of cleaning cloth and cloth pads was demonstrated to them.
Many women were surprised after knowing about menstrual cups and tampons. They showed unwillingness to use something which is to be inserted. Many women appreciated the modern products and said, “We didn’t used it may be our daughters will”.
The discussion around the various myths related to menstruation was also initiated. Some women called menstruation blood as the impurified and said, “Every month our body produces bad blood, which comes like this.”
The scientific reason behind the menstruation was explained to them through menstrual cycle. Many women also shared during the session about their unawareness about it when they were child. Sonia, one of the women domestic shared her experience from her childhood “Mai bahot dar gayi thi jab mujhe pehle baar maahvari hui thi, mujhe kisi ne nahi btaya tha. Mai bahot saalo tak ye sochti thi ki mahvaari ladka ladki sabhi ko hoti hai.” (I was very afraid when I first got my periods, I was uninformed. For a very long time I used to think girls and boys both get periods)
Another young woman domestic worker, Akhtari said, “Mai aaj hi apni beti ko is barey me btaungi taki vo taiyaar rahey.” (I will talk to my daughter today only about all this, so that she will be prepared)
Many women domestic workers promised to have discussion with their children especially daughters about menstrual wellness. At the end of the session, women were intrigued to question about the various rituals they have been practising during menstruation.