How is Stree Sanman helping in destigmatizing Periods?

As there are various myths and stigmas associated with periods, women feel shy to talk about periods. Women face multiple issues during periods; but due to various stigmas associated with the menstrual cycle, they are not comfortable talking about period issues. Not discussing and ignoring period issues can further lead to multiple menstrual disorders; among which some are curable, and some last through a lifetime. Maintaining period hygiene is essential during periods, but women feel awkward asking for a sanitary napkin from a male shopkeeper; due to the stigma associated with periods. So they adopt the traditional method of using old clothes, sandbags, leaves and ashes to absorb the menstrual flow. Embracing the conventional approach to absorb the menstrual flow; disturbs menstrual hygiene and can further give rise to irritation and infection during or after the periods.

During menarche, girls are unaware of the periods, think they have got some deadly disease, and develop a negative attitude towards periods. For providing information to a girl about periods, a mother can act as a great source through which girls will be aware of periods. But due to the stigma and myths associated with periods, a mother won’t find it comfortable to talk about periods with her daughter

Additionally, another challenge that women face during periods is disposing of the used sanitary pads. As there are stigmas associate with periods, women throw sanitary pads inside a plastic bag and mix them with household waste. These sanitary pads are dispose of in a dumping ground, and it takes around 500-800 years to decompose. Another method to dispose of the soiled sanitary pad is to burn it in the open area or bury it under the ground. Above these methods harm the environment, and it can lead to hazardous diseases for a living being.