In Pakistan, life alters as women undergo a natural body transformation. Menstruation, which a girl experiences on the cusp of adolescence, is frequently associated with more than just a hormonal shift indicative of puberty in Pakistani girls. It is a subject that frequently elicits hushes and nasty glances, and it is rife with shame in various ways. Yet, we continue to neglect the reality that it is perfectly natural and uncontrollable by women.
Though our culture is gradually empowering women and progressing, we still have a long way to normalize women’s periods. However, it appears as though a step in that direction has been taken with the introduction of Molped Sanitary napkins. Menstruation should be simple, comfortable, and unrestrictive for women, and Molped recognizes this and strives to give it.
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Because the subject is controversial in Pakistan, numerous falsehoods surround it. Women are never permitted to discuss it honestly and confidently. This impairs their ability to acquire factual information about it as well. As a result, myths reign supreme. For example, moms begin imposing several food restrictions on their daughters when they enter adolescence. Eggs are believed to accelerate the process, and their consumption is strictly regulated! In an interview with Molped, a 14-year-old girl reported that she “eating meat during this period and the bleeding stopped totally.” Another 17-year-old girl revealed that a woman in her community died due to “washing clothes during the first three days of menstruation.” Menstruation becomes a restricting aspect in women’s life as a result of such misconceptions.
All Around Shame, But For What?
Additionally, women are made to feel a great deal of shame for their circumstances. Due to the physical changes occurring inside a woman’s body during her period, she is prone to cramps, nausea, headaches/lightheadedness, and various other symptoms. When women exhibit these signs, they are frequently considered lower or weaker. Did you realize that less than a fifth of Pakistani women use sanitary napkins?
Additionally, the brown bag packaging used for sanitary napkin purchases is problematic. Women’s minds have been programmed to believe that openly purchasing sanitary napkins is impolite. “somelines should not be crossed.” When questioned about this, a woman responded, “I believe that buying sanitary pads without brown paper represents an act of shame.”
The beliefs around menstruation and the shame connected with it complicate women’s lives. Additionally, it impairs their ability to seek out solutions that would provide an unbroken existence.