KATHMANDU, Aug 22: We live in a society where menstruating women are explicitly referred as impure. Even though women menstruate every month, period stains are looked down upon all over the world, and in our society, it is yet another sign of impurity.
With the bold intention of breaking such stigma, Kiran Gandhi, an NRI (Non-Residential Indian), completed the 26.2 miles in 2015 London Marathon recently without wearing a tampon or sanitary pads while she was menstruating. In an article about her experience, she wrote: "Why not use it as a means to draw light to my sisters who don't have access to tampons and, despite cramping and pain, hide it away like it doesn't exist?"
Many found the idea to be disgusting while many applauded her bravery. But does this "heroic" means serve the end like she intended? Did this make any impact upon our thoughts? We talked to five youth to know their opinion, and here's what they had to say:
Getting rid of stubborn stains
Santosh Baniya, 25
Intern Doctor, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital
The act was brave for sure and something big like this would receive considerable attention for raising awareness. I bet this got a bigger platform than even many awareness campaigns! We can’t say just yet whether it made the necessary impact or not, but what’s important is trying, and her effort is undoubtedly praiseworthy. Something like this need to be done once in a while, as it compels us to think about things we would rather ignore. I felt it was courageous and admirable.
Speaking from the medical perspective, running during period can result in dehydration due to loss of fluid from the body, and her adamancy in doing what she intended without caring is yet more applausive.
Dikshya Khadka, 22
Business Management graduate
Kiran Gandhi had a positive intention to raise awareness about menstrual stereotypes. However, she should have kept in mind that people might not think in the way she intended them to. Given that this news received an international attention and was all over social media, it certainly must have made an impact, but I’m unsure as to whether the means served the end.
Being born and raised in Nepal, I cannot imagine a scene like this happening here, even though we claim ourselves to be “open-minded” individuals. As for me, I admire her and I myself am quite open about my period and cramps with my friends and family. But this is an agenda that would require time along with awareness to completely demolish.
On the other hand, I feel bad for the winner of the London Marathon, Tigist Tufa, but it’s only obvious that most of the attention got shifted to Kiran. However, both women made strides in their own way and deserve our standing ovation.
Pratik Khanal, 26
Student, Institute of Medicine
Kiran has given rise to a whole new perspective for debaters and leaders to ponder on. Till now many had only voiced their opinion about feminism and taboos, however, Kiran illustrated a great example of it. We live in a society where such things are not openly discussed, this is a stereotype that many have tried to overcome but have succeeded rarely. This dogma amongst our community has to be changed and Kiran did it on an international platform, which is commendable. She has put forward her message loud and clear; the world needs a change!
However, as a medical student, I do not advise the involvement of women in any kind of activity without the use of sanitary napkins during menstruation, let alone running 40 kilometers. It could have caused infection and is unhygienic.
Putting aside the medical aspect for a moment, I think this will lead to a shift in the paradigm of thoughts and the image of women in our society, and it was a much needed act of bravery.
Preeti Karna
via GenNext’s Facebook page
Personally, I don’t think that this is something to cheer up about. There are few things we should never compare with our opposite sex, and menstruation—a part of motherhood, is one of them.
In my view, Kiran, although quite focused on her goal, should have given a little thought to the outcome of her act, too. The sight was clearly gross and honestly, we don’t want to see period blood on someone in public. It’s not like menstruation cycle oozes blood that can be donated! It carries dead cells and isn’t entirely hygienic. Girls are not only known for their beauty but also for the way they carry themselves. Therefore, I feel she should have been a bit conscious about the situation. Nonetheless, I express my congratulations to her for completing the marathon.
Shruti Shah, 22
Student, Kathmandu University School of Management
Kiran voiced her opinion and it is rare for women from a conservative culture such as ours to come out in the open so freely and speak out against the taboo. However, there could have been some other way raise awareness on this matter; this was unhygienic and unsanitary. It is a gradual process—a belief followed for centuries will not come to a standstill by the actions of a single woman. Things will not change unless the majority approves of it. I do believe that our society needs to change its mindset and have an open mind on such issues. However, there are other ways to bring about this change.
It was also very unfair for the winner of the marathon, Tigist Tufa, who finished the marathon in a record breaking time. Kiran could have done the same thing in a marathon that does not require a title; she stole the spotlight from someone who really did deserve it. Nonetheless, I respect the brave step taken by Kiran.
