Strength TogetHER 9- Session 4

 

30th January,2021.

I AM NOT IMPURE

I am a woman, 

who bleeds for survival ,

who bleeds for formation of life,

And I am as pure as gold.

On 30th january 2021 , at around 3:00 pm we around 25 girls gathered via zoom to talk about that time of the month. The topic for the session was " I am not impure". Our participants shared their story about different experience related to their menstruation. 

Facilitated by ‘Lokopakar’ youth organization which focuses on the development of youth personally or professionally in Nepal, 'Strength togetHER' virtual program is created specially for girls and young women of different mindsets and backgrounds. During the sessions, they all come together to share various views, ideas, perspectives, experiences, and stories. This space helps them to grow as individuals by creating a platform to be themselves, talk about their issues, and find solutions to their problems.

The session was only possible with the love and support of our moderator Miss Anjila Pokharel. She has currently finished her bachelors degree in business administration specialization in finance from mahendra morang adarsha multiple campus, biratnagar. Being a person with good leadership and communication skill she is currently involved in a social organization( Leo Club of Pathari) as a zone chairperson of Multiple district council 325 A1.She has fully dedicated herself in social work and has also completed her tenure as a club president. She is an avid reader and she also possess keen interest in writing.

All the participants were really energetic and enthusiastic. We began with storytelling.

•Our first speaker shared her story of the time she broke a stigma that a bleeding women shouldn't enter to the temple.She said that nothing bad happened like the people around her had said.

•Our second speaker shared her story about the time when she broke the rule of not being involved in celebration during period. She hid about it from her family and involved herself in her birthday celebration.

• Our third speaker shared her part of the story.She said that she had to stay far away from the male members of the family during her first period.

•Our fourth speaker shared one of her friend's story.Her friend was told that she was impure in her period and was locked down in a room so she couldn't take part in a birthday celebration of her cousin. She was also criticised as a bad luck for her family as she had her period during celebration.

•Our fifth speaker told that she had to frequently visit to doctor as her period was irregular and this had cause a problem for her.

•Our sixth speaker said that she experiences mood swings during her period and it is a painful experience for her.

After listening to all the stories our moderator shared her own story.She said that she challenged all the norms of the society and didn't step back to do the forbidden things.The story of our moderator inspired us a lot.Our moderator shared some of the story:

• Firstly she shared the incident that happened to her sister.Her first period was terrible as she was totally confused about the thing that was happening.She was scared and lost within herself.After few days when our moderator herself experienced her first period she was able to console her sister that it was normal.

• Secondly she shared an incident about her friend who had to stay in cow shed during her first period.

These all stories helped us to reach some conclusion:

1) For some people it is normal and for some it may be problem to some extent.

2) The phase require self care, adequate rest , healthy food and cleanliness.

3) Emotion fluctuation during pre- menstruation, menstruation or post menstruation is normal.

4) Feelings and mood swings during period can be controlled by oneself by:

i) Doing what fits you.

ii) Thinking positive.

iii) distracting oneself from negative thoughts.

iv) Doing other things you like.

5) We avoid going temple, kitchen during period for the sake of our family and society but menstruation is natural and their is no shame in it.

6) Teach the younger people who aren't aware about it.

7) Lack of knowledge about it can be threatening and depressing.

8) Consulting a doctor is must if it is delayed or there is problem in it.

Our moderator also told that women were forbidden to work and were kept separately during period for the sake of hygiene in earlier days but later on it came out as a misconception that it is a sin if somebody doesn't follow the rule. 

Menstruation is not a sin. It's a mere process which continues life. The misconceptions should be avoided.

The 105 minutes session was really interactive and a good way for us to know more about menstruation.We ended the session at about 4:45 pm. At last we took a screenshot to cherish the movement and wonderful time we had spent together.

Written by: Sakshi Wagle (Cohort Coordinator)