[fullwidth background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”” padding_right=”” hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]This Menstrual Hygiene Day (28 May) our Asia Programme Manager, Aleena Khan, shares her personal reflections of feeling guilt during her periods growing up and overcoming the taboos and cultural norms, which unfortunately often link menstruation to shame.
Global One is committed to smashing this shame, re-educating and empowering women and girls on their menstrual health rights.
Ramadan Reflections: Menstruation Should Not Be A Taboo
My relationship with periods has been complex; as is the case for many Muslim females across the world. We are often made to feel as though menstruation is something we should not only refrain from talking about openly, but something we should be ashamed of. This is often backed up using (abusing) faith and cultural norms. A time of year during which these attitudes are most apparent is in Ramadan. Women are exempt from fasting during their period but most go out of their way to keep up the pretence, either out of shame or because society expects them to.
However, growing up, I refused to sit at the dining table and eat Sehri with my family while on my period. I would tell Abu very matter-of-factly that I can’t pray Maghrib because I’m on my period when asked to join the family for congregational prayers. I would buy my pads from the pharmacy and tell the salesman the brown bag was unnecessary.
That being said, I will never forget the sinking feeling I got when I realised Maroof Chacha, our cook at home, had seen me drink water in Ramadan while he walked passed by the kitchen door. I will also never forget how I felt like I was going to die when a boy from my class told me I had ketchup at the back of my white shalwar kameez school uniform.
Read the rest of the article here
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