In May 2020, BBC Magazine published an article on their Internet page titled “Why India Must Fight the Shame of the Period” https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-26260978 along with a series of photographs by Niraj Hera ‘Sacred Stains’. The article wrote about the woman’s situation in India and a sad state of affairs around the topic of menstruation, which is still taboo in many places around the country. A few months earlier, Anitha Rao from Bangalore founded ‘SAKRIYA’ Charitable Trust, which main task is menstrual hygiene campaigns, especially for underprivileged women. With this, Anitha is one of the warriors who dedicates her time and energy to the battle against ignorance, prejudices, lack of awareness about women’s health.
The tragedy is that menstruation, a sign of health, fertility, a beautiful and wise design inscribed by nature in a woman’s body that should lead to psychological and physical harmony, has been considered impure. Not to enter the kitchen, not to eat sour food, not to visit the temple, not to leave the room, etc. There are many scientifically unfounded myths about what should not be done during the period. Menstruating women are barred from social and religious gatherings. Paradoxically, all this is happening in a country where many communities have a custom of celebrating puberty – half saree function associated with menarche (the first menstruation by the girls). However, for the biases in the society, ignorance, lack of information, lack of the most necessary hygienic means (sanitary pads, underwear), thousands of women in the cities and especially in the rural areas are paying too high a price. They frequently experience discrimination, risk their health, are dropped out of school. For some even, it costs their lives. Instead of sanitary pads, girls and women use a variety of absorbent materials, including paper, old clothes, leaves, and even grass or rope, at risk of infection and other problems.
For women, as for men, it is essential to know at least the basic things about the body: such as the cyclicity of menstruation, what the color and texture of the flow are indicating, which material should be used during these days, how often the sanitary pads are to change, etc. BBC Magazine https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-26260978 claims that in India, “poor menstrual hygiene is responsible for almost 70% of all reproductive disorders, and it can also have an impact on maternal mortality”. The same percentage of girls learn about the menstrual cycle only when they get it for the first time. This indicates that girls are not provided with proper education about this important stage in their lives, either at school or at home. It also shows the necessity to make menstrual hygiene a part of a school program.
Seeing this situation, Anitha Rao started to conduct sessions for woman about menstrual hygiene, personal health, and self-care, the importance of dressing up. In addition, her talks raise children’s awareness of good and harmful touches. SAKRIYA (that means ‘active participation’, ‘good deed’) has organized more than 100 events collaborating with different educational institutions, the police department, and various other organizations. Anitha Rao has visited a dozen places in the cities and in rural areas, public events, schools, a prison. For the health education campaign, she also uses Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter posting important information in an interesting and accessible way (visit @sakriyabyanitha, and the home page – sakriyacharitabletrust.org).
The foundress of SAKRIYA appears in the local press, as her personal story as a former air hostess who flew to more than 60 countries and has initiated a campaign for women is not ordinary. Anitha lives in Bangalore and raises two children. In front of the camera, she appears as a confident, stylishly dressed woman with clarity in her voice who can convey the audience.
Unfortunately, many women do not possess such awareness of their value and dignity, or maybe not at that level as You do. Is it because of inborn personality, or is it gained with time?
It’s inborn and acquired, both. Flying career gave me a lot of opportunities to explore the world, understand different cultures, and parallelly gave me courage and confidence.
What are the concrete examples of the problems you see while visiting different places and talking to women about menstrual hygiene?
Many women are still not using underpants. The small girls are not aware of white discharge, they don’t inform the parents, or maybe they have, but parents have ignored it. Often women have no money to consult a doctor if they have problems.
Though Your program is women-oriented, how is the situation with a man in terms of this topic? Often men take the position: “I am not bothered how my wife (daughter) feels; it’s her business.” Although to know about the wife, and try to understand her, is the sign of attention and support that each person needs.
I think the world has changed, at least with educated men. Now they understand more the pain, PMS, etc. They are empathetic towards their wife and daughter. It is important to say that gender equality can be earned when all the girls in the country go to school and when women publicly talk about their issues, such as menstruation.
About all the information of SAKRIYA Charitable trust, as well as how to support its work financially or become a volunteer, you can read on the internet page sakriyacharitabletrus.org.
By – EMU, Bangalore
