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এক টুকরো পুরোনো শাড়ি ১

বাঙালি নারীদের জন্য শাড়ি একটি নিত্য দিনের প্রয়োজন বা আবেগের জায়গা। বলা হয় শাড়িতেই বাঙালী নারী।

এই এক টুকরো পুরোনো শাড়ি মেয়েদের মাসের বিশেষ দিনের স্মরণ করায়। এটি তাদের কিশোরী থেকে একজন যুবতী হয়ে উঠার হাতে খড়ির সহায়ক। ঋতুচক্র সকল নারীর জন্য একটা সুস্থ জীবন চক্রের অংশীদার৷
পিরিয়ডের সময় মেয়েরা পুরোনো কাপড় ব্যবহার করে। বিষয়টা অনেকটা এমন - মা, মেয়ের সমাধান এক কাপড়েই (শাড়ি)। আলনার পিছনে বা ড্রয়ারের নিচে জমিয়ে রাখা কাপড় থেকে নরম অংশগুলো কাজে লাগানো হয়। গ্রামে এটি সবার জন্য সাধারণ বিষয়। কিশোরী থেকে মৃত্যু পর্যন্ত এই কাপড়েই আমাদের মায়েরা ভর করে আছে। শহরেও এই প্রথা প্রচলিত আছে। তবে তা মূলত খরচ বাচানোর উপায় হিসেবে কাজ করে।
স্যানিটারি ন্যাপকিনকে সাধারণত একটা বাড়তি খরচ হিসেবে দেখা হয়। ন্যাপকিন ব্যবহার সম্পর্কে জানতে মেয়েরা উদাসীন ও সংকোচবোধ করে। এছাড়াও গ্রামে ন্যাপকিন কেনা বা ব্যবহার না করার জন্য আগ্রহী করা হয়। এটা একধরনের কুসংস্কার যা আজকের সময়েও মানা হয়। ঔষধের দোকান গুলোতে পুরুষ দোকানী থাকায় মেয়েরা লজ্জাবোধ করে।
এই সময় মেয়েদের হাইজিন থাকা খুবই জরুরি। একই কাপড় দীর্ঘদিন ব্যবহার করায় রয়েছে মৃত্যু ঝুঁকি। বিশেষ সাবধানতা অবলম্বন করে এসব কাপড় ব্যবহার করতে হবে।

Menstrual hygiene refers to the practices and measures that are taken to maintain cleanliness and hygiene during menstruation. This includes using appropriate menstrual products, such as pads, tampons, or menstrual cups, as well as ensuring access to clean water and facilities for washing and changing menstrual products.

According to a study by UNICEF, conducted in 2016, only 29% of adolescent girls aged 10-19 in Bangladesh used sanitary napkins as their primary menstrual hygiene product, and only 18% had adequate knowledge of menstrual hygiene management. The study also found that only 4% of the schools in Bangladesh have separate toilets for girls, which can make it difficult for girls to manage their menstrual hygiene in a private and hygienic way.

Another study by BRAC and Plan International, conducted in 2016 in Bangladesh, found that only 36% of girls aged 10-19 years knew about menstrual hygiene management. More than 80% of the girls and women used cloth as their primary menstrual hygiene product, which is not sanitary and can lead to health problems.

These studies highlight the need for better education and resources for menstrual hygiene management in Bangladesh. Organizations such as BRAC, Plan International, and UNICEF are working to improve access to accurate information and resources for girls and women in Bangladesh.

It's important to note that menstrual hygiene is a global issue and it's not limited to Bangladesh, many girls and women around the world lack access to proper menstrual hygiene products, education and facilities.

Ensuring menstrual hygiene for all individuals is essential for physical and emotional well-being, and for the achievement of gender equality, education and economic opportunities.

How to break the taboos on menstruation?

Breaking the taboos on menstruation can be a complex and ongoing process, but there are several key strategies that can be effective:

Education and awareness: providing accurate and comprehensive information about menstruation to all individuals, including both boys and girls, is crucial to breaking taboos and reducing misconceptions.

Promote menstrual hygiene management: Ensuring access to safe and affordable menstrual hygiene products, and providing education on how to use and dispose of them properly, can help reduce the shame and stigma associated with menstruation.

Encourage open and honest communication: Creating a safe and supportive environment where individuals can talk openly and honestly about menstruation can help reduce the sense of shame and isolation that can be associated with the topic.

Use positive and inclusive language: The language used to talk about menstruation can reinforce or challenge taboos. Using inclusive and positive language can help destigmatize menstruation and make it more acceptable to discuss.

Empower girls and women: Empowering girls and women through education and economic opportunities can help break the taboos on menstruation by giving them more control over their lives and bodies.

Engage men and boys: Including men and boys in the conversation about menstruation and encouraging them to be supportive and understanding can help reduce the stigma and taboos surrounding the topic.

Use media and art: Using media and art to break taboos on menstruation and bring attention to the issue can be a powerful way to raise awareness and promote change.

Collaboration and partnerships: Collaborating with other organizations, community leaders and individuals to break taboos on menstruation can be more effective than working alone.

It's important to keep in mind that breaking taboos on menstruation can take time, and it's a continuous process, but with effort, it can be successful and make a big impact on people's lives.

During menstruation, it is important to take care of your physical and emotional well-being. Here are some things you can do to make your period more comfortable:

Use sanitary products: Use pads, tampons, or menstrual cups to absorb menstrual blood and keep yourself clean and dry.

Keep hygiene: Clean yourself regularly and change your pad or tampon every 4-6 hours.

Exercise: Light exercises such as yoga, walking and swimming can help alleviate menstrual cramps and improve mood.

Eat well: Eating a balanced diet and drinking plenty of water can help reduce bloating and fatigue.

Rest: Get enough sleep and rest to help your body recover from the physical changes it goes through during your period.

Pain relief: Over-the-counter pain relief medication such as ibuprofen can help alleviate menstrual cramps.

Emotional support: Talk to a friend or family member, or seek professional help if you are experiencing emotional distress or anxiety during your period.

Keep track of your period: Keep a calendar or period tracking app to help you predict when your period will start and end, and to monitor any changes or irregularities.

It's important to note that everyone's menstrual experience is different, and what works for one person may not work for another. It's essential to listen to your body and do what feels best for you during your period.

Teenagers may have misinformation about menstruation due to a lack of comprehensive s*x education and/or cultural taboos surrounding the topic. Some common misconceptions include thinking that menstruation is a disease or a punishment, that it only occurs in cisgender females, or that it only happens once a month. There can also be confusion about the various menstrual products available and how to use them properly. Additionally, some may not know about the potential symptoms and discomforts that can accompany menstruation and may not know how to manage them. It is important for accurate and comprehensive information to be provided to teenagers to dispel these misconceptions and ensure proper understanding and management of menstruation.

In Bangladesh, menstruation is often viewed as a taboo subject, and many girls and women may not receive accurate information about it. This can lead to a lack of understanding and misconceptions about the process.

According to a study by BRAC and Plan International, conducted in Bangladesh in 2016, found that only 44% of girls aged 10-19 years had accurate knowledge about menstruation. In addition, only 36% of them knew about menstrual hygiene management. The study also found that more than 80% of the girls and women used cloth as their primary menstrual hygiene product, which is not sanitary and can lead to health problems.

Another study by UNICEF, conducted in 2016 found that, only 18% of adolescent girls aged 10-19 in Bangladesh had adequate knowledge of menstrual hygiene management, and only 29% of them used sanitary napkins. Moreover, the study also found that only 4% of the schools in Bangladesh have separate toilets for girls, which can make it difficult for girls to manage their menstrual hygiene in a private and hygienic way.

These studies highlight the need for better education and resources for menstrual hygiene management in Bangladesh. Organizations such as BRAC, Plan International, and UNICEF are working to break the menstrual taboo and improve access to accurate information and resources for girls and women in Bangladesh.

In Bangladesh, there is a strong cultural taboo surrounding menstruation. Many women and girls are not allowed to participate in normal daily activities during their periods, and may be forced to sleep in separate quarters or even banned from entering certain areas of their own homes. This can lead to feelings of isolation and shame and prevent girls from attending school or participating in other activities. Additionally, there is a lack of access to proper menstrual hygiene products and education, which can lead to health problems. Despite this, there are organizations and initiatives working to break the menstrual taboo in Bangladesh through education and empowerment programs.

Happy !
Millions of girls and women are stigmatised discriminated against. Millions of them are suffering from safe hygiene protection. In this international day of Menstrual Hygiene we look forward to achieving safe and hygiene period time in Bangladesh and beyond the border.
If we are to achieve SDG Goal 5.
Break the taboo
End Period Poverty everywhere
Ensure the access of menstrual kits everywhere
Ensure the kit has accessible price.

Let's work together to achieve !


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