Did you know? Period! Magazine has contributors from literally everywhere. In the last seven years, we have welcomed guest bloggers from all over the world. Australia, New-Zealand, USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Scandinavia, Madagascar, Uganda, Kenya, India, Bonaire, Argentina, Bangladesh, Portugal, Egypt, Nepal, Rwanda, Zambia, The Netherlands. Thank you for all the empowering, hilarious, satirical, political, poetic, heart-breaking and personal period stories, dear contributors! We proudly present you some shortlists. This time: our seven best read submissions in the category Periods & Politics.
Why regular gynaecological check-ups should be the norm – by Dafina Malovska (United Kingdom)
‘Everyone has a story, and this is mine. My name is Dafina and I’m 39 years old. I’m originally from Macedonia but I’ve been living and working in London for 15 years. Five years ago, I was living a normal life, doing all the things young people do; working on my career, long hours in the office, travelling, making friends and generally enjoying life. But while I was planning my future, I didn’t know that my life was already in danger. I had no idea I was carrying a growing tumour, eventually weighing 500g. In July 2014, I started becoming very bloated, which was unusual for me. I saw my GP almost four months in a row, but she didn’t touch or examine my abdomen even once. Instead, eventually she sent me to see a gastroenterologist to have my stomach checked. The gastroenterologist didn’t discover anything either and only recommended me to take Activia Yogurt… So I tried to continue with my life as normal but with the constant bloating. Within a few months I started bleeding between my periods and then I knew that something was not right. I went to see a different GP who referred me to a gynaecologist.’ READ MORE
We finally need to talk about periods at work – by Katherine Eggert (Germany)
‘Discussing your menstrual problems at the workplace is better for everyone, says German researcher and menstrual health worker Katharina Eggert.Although women* regularly experience symptoms related to their menstruation, little attention is given to the way periods can affect them in their workplace. Women account for about half of the labour-force in Europe. However, periods aren’t openly discussed in the workplace and are sometimes even tabooed. This is worrisome for women who need help in managing their periods, because many of them feel too unwell to go to work but still feel the pressure to go.’ READ MORE
The case for menstrual leave – by Rathi R (India)
‘According to Kerala in the 19th Century (1988) written by P. Bhaskaranunni, a government-run girls’ school in the state of Cochin (India) allowed its students to take period leave during annual examinations. According to the author, the headmaster of the school, V. P. Vishwanatha Iyer took up the issue of student absenteeism due to menstruation and menstrual taboos with the school inspector. A decision, relieving students from taking their examination during their menstrual cycles and allowing them to do this on a later occasion, was taken on January 24, 1912. One hundred and eight years later, the discussion on menstrual leave continues.’ READ MORE
Stop fiancially punishing my vagina! – by Bridget Walsh (Ireland)
‘Blood. Every month there’s blood. We are women, so we bleed. It’s probably the most natural thing on earth, and yet it’s surrounded by the most stigma. I’ve heard some good comments from men, the first when I was about 11 years old. ‘I don’t trust anything that bleeds for seven days and doesn’t die!’, ‘Can’t you just turn it off?’ and even worse from other women: ‘Shh, you did not just say that word out loud!’Years of repression by the patriarchy – but we all know this girls, we know this all too well. But what I still don’t understand is why on earth we should pay such huge amounts of money and tax for hygiene products? They aren’t a luxury, so why are they even taxed? The alternative is free bleeding I suppose. I mean that’s free… but no thanks, I already have enough laundry to do.’ READ MORE
Pure or impure? Contesting the menstrual taboo – by Yasmin Soni (India)
‘Recently there was a campaign among women activists to lift the ban on women entering the sanctum sanctorum of the Shani Shingnapur temple in India. A group of 350 women from Bhumata Ranragini was stopped by the temple administration, and later by the police, from entering the temple. Eventually, these women activists were able to break the 400 years old tradition. Until recently, there has been a similar kind of ban in Kerala’s Sabarimala temple, where women between the age of 10 and 50 weren’t granted access. The new president said that women would only be allowed in the temple after the invention of a machine that can scan if it’s the right time for them to do so. That’s right: a machine that checks if women are menstruating. It doesn’t seem this strange menstrual check will anytime soon though, as in July 2018, the Supreme Court has declared that temples are public places and that there can’t be any discrimination on the basis of gender or age. Access to places of worship is a fundamental right, also for women, ruled the Supreme Court, stating that access could only be denied (to both males and females) on the ground of health, morality and public order. Still, discrimination based on a person’s sex still happens in Indian shrines: since 2011 women have been denied access to the Asthana – the actual spot where the saint is buried in Hali Ali Dargah.’ READ MORE
Periods and plastics – by Emma Chesworth (United Kingdom)
‘It’s January. Or Januhairy. Or Veganuary. Inevitably thoughts turn to resolutions and changes to be made for the coming year. This year, more than ever, it feels there is a move away from vowing to exercise more, save money, lose a few pounds or learn a new skill such as pottery or cheese making. No, this year we are concentrating our efforts on reducing the P word. Plastic. Now your usage of plastic is a barometer of your eco conscious and a word uttered in hushed tones in polite society. I care about the environment. I don’t eat meat or fish. I use public transport. I have a reusable drinking water bottle and a brick in my toilet cistern. And obviously, I don’t leave the tap running while I brush my teeth. I’m not a monster. I will happily use bags for life and do my best to avoid unnecessary packaging. But there is one thing I won’t do in the name of being eco friendly and it is not because I am unwilling to forgo a luxury. The P word also stands for period. And this is where I will not be shamed for how I manage my menses.’ READ MORE
Thinking about periods – by Anna Balmer (United Kingdom)
‘Around 26% of the global population menstruate. Every month. For 2 to 7 days. At any given time, 800 million people worldwide are menstruating (UNICEF, 2020). It’s perfectly healthy and normal. It’s okay to menstruate. As long as you never talk about it and no one knows that you’re doing it. All around the world girls, women*, transgender, and intersex people suffer from the stigma of menstruation. The word stigma referring to any stain or mark that renders the individual’s body or character defective (Erving, 1963). Menstruation is a source of social stigma and menstrual blood is a stigmatised substance. Why is a mundane process of nature so shocking given that so many of us experience the menses and manage this every month for decades of our lives? Why does menstruation, a benign process essential to the production of human life evoke fear, disgust, and comparison to toxic waste?’ READ MORE
Also read: Period Poetry, Period Problems, Period Power.
More?
Just check our category Quotes
Want to submit a period story as well? Check our guidelines here.
Period! is an independent, online magazine about all aspects of menstruation. Period! is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. If you’re suffering from medical complaints, always visit your doctor or GP. Editorial articles can contain affiliate links. Sponsored collaborations can be found in the category Spotlight. Do you have any questions? Check our contact page.
