Kozhikode: Followed by the 'Aarppo Arthavam' campaign, where social media users are encouraged to pen their experiences regarding menstruation, Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad has started an awareness campaign to educate the public on menstruation. The immediate trigger for the campaign was no doubt the Supreme Court order allowing women of all age groups to enter the hill shrine of Sabarimala, the organisers said.
Political Kerala was divided over the issue and women, largely prodded by Hindutva outfits, came out in droves against the move to allow women of menstruating age near a deity considered celibate. When the main opposition parties also supported the stand of the state BJP, the LDF government sought the help of other organisations to 'build' a Women's Wall to essentially counter the perception that women themselves have spurned the Supreme Court verdict. The pro-Left KSSP now wants to take the fight to a more ideological level. It wants to address the root of gender discrimination in Hindu faith, menstruation.
The first set of talks were held in Thrissur on Sunday and the campaign would begin on New Year's Day, to coincide with the Women's Wall, and conclude on March 8, international women's day. "The campaign would be taken to the basic units of our daily life, to 'ayalkkoottams', college campuses and residential associations," said former KSSP president Dr KP Aravindan.
The discussions would be taken up in three segments. “First is the science behind menstruation. Eminent doctors from the field will explain the hormonal changes taking place in the body of women during menstruation," Dr Aravindan said. The second is the hygiene attached to it. There are many issues like the availability of pads, the need to produce cost-effective and hygienic pads, and the use of menstrual cups that would be taken up during this segment. It will also deal with the health issues attached to menstruation, like dysmenorrhea and cramps. "The third part is the most significant one, and the objective would be to educate the public about the cultural and historical importance of menstruation in an intentional context,” he said.
A 20-minute long inaugural session would be conducted by a team of experts including physicians. Followed by this, an interactive session would be arranged, where the participants can raise their doubts regarding the topic.