Sanitary pads are required every month during menstruation, but many cannot afford these. Many don't even know about sanitary pads. Ignorance of mensuration management often poses as a health risk. Also, the topic of menstruation is still a taboo for discussion in most families. These observations were made during a dialogue on Menstrual Hygiene Day.
Today, Friday, is Menstrual Hygiene Day. On Thursday, StaySafe, with support from Prothom Alo, organised a virtual dialogue, 'Period can never be an obstacle to attaining goals.'
Speaking at the dialogue, former caretaker government advisor Rasheda K Choudhury said, there was a time when the monthly period was not discussed openly. Now that had begun. Menstruation needs to be discussed more. We must move forward, she said.
Referring to her own experience, Rasheda K Choudhury said she had first learnt about menstruation from her grandmother. She said grandmothers should be included in such discussions. She said women suffered from anaemia due to period-related problems and, as a result, their infants could be victims of malnutrition. Awareness and care was needed during menstruation. Other than textbooks, others tools were required to make the matter easily understood. Comics could be created on the topic. She drew UNICEF's attention to the matter.
Rasheda K Choudhury went on to say that while online telemedicine services had increased, rural women still had less access to technology. She said, sanitary pads should be included with the distribution of relief packages too. Mass awareness had to be mobilised along with awareness within the family. She also called for sanitary pads to be made affordable.
The dialogue was moderated by chairperson of the department of communication disorders, Touhida Jahan.
Former president of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Society of Bangladesh (OGSB) and president of the Endometriosis Society of Bangladesh (ESB), Samina Chowdhury, said, "People are gradually moving away from the taboos associated with menstruation. During puberty, boys and girls have the right to know about their bodies. We are all responsible to inform them. We must explain to them how to take care of themselves."
Referring to the cost of sanitary pads, she said unless these are available at affordable prices, the use of pads will not increase. And if lengths of cloth are used, these must be washed thoroughly and dried in the sun. Mildew can formed if dried in the shade. She said, pre-menstruation or during menstruation, one can face physical and mental changes. This requires counselling.
Farhana Shams of UNICEF's Bangladesh adolescent health care unit, said that boys or men should be included in discussions about menstruation. She said, this will make the matter more normal. In the cities the issue is being discussed now, but in the villages girls don't even discuss this among themselves.
It is not just enough to say that sanitary pads should be used, said Farhana Shams. It must be known how to dispose these after use. UNICEF has been working on these issues. She highlighted various programmes of UNICEF in this regard. She said, the sanitary pad manufacturers can make these affordable for rural women. This will increase the use of pads.
A woman should be able to talk about her period in any environment. Boys must be included too
Actress Moutushi Biswas said, beneficiary women are aware about monthly health management and receive a lot of assistance if they need. But marginalised women are deprived of such benefits. Unless women from all spheres of society receive adequate support and benefits during their period, the goal will not be achieved.
General secretary of Travelletes Bangladesh, Manashi Saha, had visited the 64 districts of the country and is working on menstruation awareness. She shared her experience of not being able to get sanitary pads in Sunamganj as it was hardly available in the markets there. Most of the women didn't even know about the product and said they could buy their families' essentials with the money needed for pads.
Manashi Saha said there was need for online menstruation health care. She said telemedicine had become important during the pandemic. When the time for the monthly period arrives, a woman faces all sorts of problems and becomes mentally upset. If they could have primary consultation even over the phone, this would help them develop awareness.
Sharmin Kabir, founder and director of Hritu, an organisation dealing with period awareness, said during the time of her period, a girl often becomes withdrawn. But a girl needs support at this time. If this is to be made normal, everyone in the family needs to be included in the discussion. It is not just about one girl. A woman should be able to talk about her period in any environment. Boys must be included too.
Highlighting the initiatives of her organisation, Sharmin Kabir displayed a comic book they had brought out to explain menstruation easily.
Student of Viqarunissa School and College, Safa Zerin Sukonnya, shared her own experience, saying that she had been at school when she got her first period. The teacher told her that she had 'fallen ill'. When she went home, her mother, explained it to her. She said schools should explain these things and also had sanitary pads available. Teachers and students should be able to discuss periods easily.