Menstrual Mayhem

                                                           

                 Christine Lagarde,  Managing Director IMF, in her “WEF, Davos talks” concludes that there would be 27%  increase in India’s GDP if Indian women be truly put along with their men counterpart vis- a- vis  work participation. But ,how can it be possible when women are destined to bear the wrath of their own recurring bodily issue which put them for no significant use for five days every month. This work day loss accrues to two months in a year and around 6 years in whole life (assuming 12-48 menstrual age years) and that also during most active age. It’s other matter women live longer than men; may be such inbuilt pain bearing abilities develop stronger physical and emotional resilience.

                However, this trauma is not confined to economic loss rather this is manifested in multiple  societal disabilities it brings out. During period she has to undergo a number of sanctions which differ across societies. Whereas in Jain community one is made to sleep on the floor , in other one is not allowed to enter into even kitchen, let the hallowed place unimaginable. The very hue and cry for women’s temple entry in Shani Signapur too takes route in this menstrual mayhem.

                 After all why so strong notion of purity and pollution when it is just another fluid coming out of body? Yes, the sheer long stay of this period makes the issue aggravated when it gets reflected in day to day activities. Many a times the crept in abnormality in its cycle further exacerbates the problem. Menstrual hygiene is such an issue which 55-60% of women population face it on day to day basis still it is a matter of taboo, not to be discussed openly. Everyone confesses women are the best creation of God but is unable to digest the complication it comes up with, and the  need to handle it compassionately, humanely. 

               
                 The recently released movie “ PadMan” boldly  tries to bring the issue at fore. The biographical adaption shows the real life super hero Arunachalam Muruganatham who dares to peep in women world. I can imagine his trial and tribulations he might have undergone in his maverick audacious venture when he had to experiment for his low cost sanitary napkin.In a conservative society, such biosocial experimentation was unimaginable but he dared to defy the ostracization, social boycott and stigmatization emanated from his own people. It is always easy to experiment in the air-conditioned lab and even though it is on some animal which doesn’t raise questions beyond bioethics but experimenting on a  socially sacred woman body despite all good intention was no less than outraging the societal modesty. Nevertheless, he dared and brought social revolution amidst myriad oddities.

                Woman and man are two specifics creation of nature, but ,yes, such binary is not only creation in human world. The very idiosyncrasy gets manifested in various other forms as LGBT and similar “n” number of permutation and combinations. As we evolve more humane , we recognize multiple such manifestations which go beyond “biological binaries” rather we identify societal and psychological preferences of an individual. Similarly, there should not be biological limitations on women beyond a certain point and such menstrual episode should not be a reason of handicap. The technological innovation must defy such socially imposed disabilities.

                 Presently , there is sociotechnological churning going on throughout the world especially in developing societies which are in perpetual flux. There is confluence of ideological upsurge, technological diffusion and societal upheaval, so amidst this, the  need is to streamline the constructive energy emanating from these to have course correction which can pave way for more humane society where especially women be mainstreamed. There is ever increased need to have tremendous social innovation, social entrepreneurship to ameliorate the lives at the bottom of pyramid.

  
                 However, it would be tantamount to advancing meta narrative and falling into slippery slope of science if every solution will be sought out of technology, still it is bulwark against all societal malices which are crippling our society especially related to women.  The very objective and simple solution of science extricates even complex issues. Whether it be sanitary napkin or institutional delivery or smokeless chulha or easy access of water in vicinity from solar pump or mechanized farming to ease the physical burden women undergo, all such manifestations empower women and dent the notion of "feminization of  human miserability"

I advocate for more innovation from women side itself to cross over all socioreligious barrier. Male may not understand the women world better and such sporadic innovation like PadMan may not be adequate to solve innumerable issues of theirs.

                 The voice of feminism has really echoed in the man's world but tangible manifestation can be ensured only with technological development. The best bodily as well heavenly creation of God  should not be the curse for women rather it should be a tool to assert positively and complement the man’s world convincingly.