Menstruation is nothing to be ashamed of, says Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia

New Delhi: While women across the world are breaking stereotypes about the natural process of menstruation and bleeding, India still has a long way to go.

Menstruation in India is perceived as 'impure' and 'taboo' and there are numerous social stigmas attached to when a girl is going through 'that time of the month'. Yes. People in some places of India don't even say the word 'periods' out loud.

Unfortunate as that is, there are those Indians too who are speaking out about it and not shying away from making people understand that menstruation is completely natural and there is nothing wrong or impure about it.

One of those people who have taken a stand against the social stigmas attached to menstruation is Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.

Sisodia on Monday urged all sections of society to break the cultural and societal taboos around the issue of menstruation and help normalise the discourse on the topic.

Sisodia, who also holds the education portfolio, was speaking at National Menstrual Hygiene Conclave organised by NGO Sachhi Saheli.

At the conclave, Sisodia talked about the challenges on breaking the silence on the issue of menstruation as lakhs of women suffer as the society turns a blind eye to their plight.

During his address, he mentioned the "Kishori Yojana" where sanitary napkins were provided free of cost to over seven lakh girls studying in Classes 6 to 12 in Delhi government-run schools.

The minister also mentioned that the Delhi government has requested the central government to abolish tax on sanitary napkins.

Social activist and director of Something Creative Leher Sethi said many illogical taboos surrounding menstruation still exist in India and people need to start from their own homes by openly talking about it.

"We need to realise as a society that menstruation is nothing to be ashamed of, or to speak in hushed tones about," Sethi said.

(With IANS inputs)