Sasmini’s Fight Against Menstrual Stigma
Sasmini Kadraka, a 14-year-old, ninth-grade student from Jagrutiguda village, was deeply troubled by the restrictive menstrual practices imposed on women in her community. During menstruation, women were confined to the front room, prohibited from entering to the kitchen; unable to attend village functions, cannot fetch water from tube wells. She was feelings sadness, embarrassment, stress and anxiety during menstruation. Fear of urinary tract infection. Sometimes, she remained absent in the school. Totally, she was feeling unsafe during menstruation for lack of toilet and disposal of pads or cloths. They often lacked to access sanitary products due to insufficient money, leading to unhygienic practices.
Sasmini came into contact with the HDF during house to house visits. She participated actively in the IAP meeting in the community on menstruation. She and other village girls wrote a request letter to a local medicine store, advocating for affordable sanitary pads. The medical in-charge responded by coordinating with the village health worker to distribute pads at a reduced price of $0.17, down from $0.59.
She also attended menstrual health and hygiene training which was facilitated by OIN. Sasmini learned that menstrual blood is pure, dispelling previous misconceptions. The training impacted on her life, mindset and attitude. She is ready to challenge the traditional taboos of the community:
- She now uses the tube well during menstruation, alongside other villagers.
- She travels by bike with her father, defying the norm of avoiding male contact during menstruation.
- She shared her learning’s with her mother, who agreed to allow her into the kitchen during her menstrual period.
Sasmini is committed to educating others about menstrual health, emphasizing the importance of changing sanitary products every three hours, washing hands with soap before and after use, and maintaining cleanliness. She aims to dispel myths and promote hygiene practices in her community.
Through her small impactful actions, Sasmini is leading a transformative movement, challenging deep-seated taboos, and fostering a more inclusive and hygienic environment for women in her village.