Back in 2014, I remember commercials about this supposedly amazing new limited series called The Red Tent which took the name of a girl in the Bible and turned it into a whole life. The basic idea was that in Judaism, women are considered unclean on their periods and often are isolated for the duration of menstruation. They were isolated in what was called a “red tent” and inside, women could come together away from the male perview and support each other. They would share stories, songs, and experiences. The book and later TV show based on this idea were heavily romanticised and fictionalized, yet the idea stuck with me. I would love a place where women support each other absolutely. These days there are many Red Tent Communities or Temples where women still support each other through every aspect of their lives. The more research I did into these communities, however, the scarier the reality of menstruation in modern society got.
It’s estimated that one in ten girls in Sub-Saharan Africa misses school during their menstrual cycle. In Garissa, Kenya, for example, 86% of girls say they miss school during their periods. In Nepal about 30% of girls miss school each month because of their periods. In India 23% of girls drop out of school after they start menstruation. The problems don’t just exist abroad.In the US we have what is called the Tampon Tax, which nearly every single state applies to pads and tampons. On average I spend $200 a year on period products–that adds up to about $70,000 in my life. I also have pretty severe cramps which cause me to miss at least two days of school every month. I’m not alone either. One in five girls in the U.S. leave school early or miss days entirely because of a lack of access to menstrual products, not to mention girls who leave or don’t come because of period symptoms like cramps and nausea.
Scary, I know. I knew none of this before I started writing this article. (I couldn’t even spell menstruation!) I have always struggled with my periods, but I figured it was just a personal problem. You see, my parents signed me out of Sex Ed in high school so I never learned about any of this or found support from the women and girls in my life. Most of what I did know I just found online, and even that information is lacking.
On the Wikipedia page about culture and menstruation, nearly every single society and religion has a belief that women on their periods are somehow impure and subhuman. There are many practices of isolating women in huts or tents away from the community, and often these places don’t have basic necessities like running water, heat, general hygiene. This is not just a matter of a few bad days for women–women and girls die in these period huts. For example, in 2016 a 15 year old girl in Nepal died from suffocation while staying in a period hut, a practice that had been made illegal by the government eleven years prior.
It’s obvious that the social taboos and ideologies around periods are deeply embedded in our cultures and they’re not going away overnight. But there is so much that every single one of us can do to start making a change.
First, say it outloud: PERIOD! They’re not shameful or taboo; they are absolutely natural (all mammals menstruate). You don’t need to use convert language like Aunt Flo or the red wave. It’s menstruation, plain and simple. Your body is discharging an unfertilized egg as well as the inner uterine lining. There are often hormonal changes, nausea, cramps, and acne. Some women take birth control, others ibuprofen, some even take homeopathic medicine (I do), and others don’t taking anything at all. The more we speak the truth, the less myths and antiquated ideas can control the narrative.
Second, get involved (if you can). There are so many charities and organizations working to educate women and girls all over the world about menstruation. Some provide classes, others medication and access to doctors, some give out regular pads or even reusable ones. Here are a few that you can check out; Point Period, AFRIpads, Days for Girls, WASH United, and Femme International. Trust me those are just the tip of the iceberg on this.
Third, because it is almost that time of year and it is so very important: vote. It’s really that simple. It doesn’t matter what or who you believe in, we have the power of a democratic system which we would be stupid to not take advantage of. Just two weeks ago Australia voted to repeal their tampon tax and succeeded. Although there are currently no reforms like that in this year’s midterms, you can absolutely be voting for representatives at the state and federal levels who could put such legislation in action.
Change cannot come from sitting around hoping and wishing it into existence. It comes from the blood, sweat, and tears of those who really care.