A menstruation or a period a part of a women’s monthly cycle. It is a sign for a girl for hitting puberty. Menstruation begins at the age of 12 or 13 and last till 45 – 50 years. In this period a woman faces vaginal bleeding for continuously 6 to 7 days every month.
Menstruation is a very normal thing in a girl’s life but the society has made it a havoc by attaching many taboos and stereotypes to it, like not touching or preparing food, not having pickles, not eating food with men or non-menstruating women and Menstruation or periods, is a normal vaginal bleeding that occurs as prohibited from entering into religious places.
These taboos impact the women’s mental state, mentality and lifestyle and health. Today also in many parts of India, menstruation is considered impure and dirty. Many women and girls are restricted to do their daily routine during their menstruation, they are not even allowed to enter in the house as they are thought to be unhygienic and unclean and thus if they prepare the food then it will get contaminated.
There is one famous case which killed the menstruation taboo the women have lived with.
SABRIMALA TEMPLE CASE INDIAN YOUNG LAWYERS ASSOCIATION VS. KERALA
FACTS OF THE CASE
In 1990 a petition was filed in Kerala high court for a ban on entry of woman inside the Sabrimala temple. The court upheld the restriction of woman of certain age entry inside the temple of Lord Ayyappa. In 2006 again a petition was filed to supreme court by a registered association of Indian young lawyers seeking entry of woman between 10- 50 years.
In 2008 the matter was referred to a three-judge bench. In Jan 2016 supreme court of India raise question against such restrictions and said that it is not in accordance with constitutional morality. In April 2016 Kerala government replied that it is under obligation to protect the right to practice the religion of Sabrimala devotees. In 2017 referred the case to constitutional bench.
ISSUES OF THE CASE
Prohibition of woman based on biological factors violates the article 14, 15, 17 and 25.
JUDGEMENT
In September 2018 with a majority judgement of a constitutional bench had declared the prohibition of entry of woman aged between 10-50 years as unconstitutional and discriminatory. This judgement has set an example that orthodoxy, superstition and patriarchy would never undermine the spirit of constitutional morality. The supreme court has also shown the sense of equality
And morality.
OWN VIEW
Today women should not follow these taboos or superstition instead break them and set an ne example for the coming generation of girls and hence make their life easy. The society has to understand that periods are normal and not a punishment for girls. The government and the constitution should always be supportive towards women in such situations. “Menstruation is normal but Myths are not”.
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