Plight of Menstruating Girls in Rural India, Menstrual Myths and Need of Menstrual Leave in India: A Critical Analysis

Abstract

Menstruation is a natural process which starts in the female body on the onset of puberty and continues till menopause. However, it has always been surrounded with various myths and taboos.  This research article deals with such prevalent taboos. Menstruation, in the real sense is a blessing bestowed on women. Which eventually facilitates reproduction however; it is considered as a curse due to several attached notions. India is a country of diverse religions, beliefs and faith and menstruation is one such phenomenon which undergoes different perspectives. During the menses period females do not only undergo physical pain but also mental agony. Consideration of menstruation as illness or phase of impurity is utterly illogical. This study is an attempt to highlight the ways in which the rural adolescent girls deal with their cycle and maintain menstrual hygiene. The results of the study clearly indicate the fact that girls of rural areas are deprived of basic knowledge about menstruation and thus suffer much more than others.