Bloody Glorious Art

March 15, 2020March 15, 2020 by redbadgeofcourage2020 ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Meghna Mathew

Not many people are able to say the word “vagina” without a shred of underconfidence, shame or humour. Better yet, there are people who like to ignore the idea of what comes through the vagina entirely, because vaginas seem to be meant for a singular different reason altogether.

While it is a well-established scientific fact that menstruation is a completely normal and necessary biological process in women, people still can’t wrap their head around the existence of menstrual blood and that it is a sign of good health. In such cases, as in others where people are afraid of facing something that poses no threat, some take to art to express it in a manner that conveys its normalcy and beauty. Menstrual art is just that.

In 1971, the world saw what was closest to menstrual art- Judy Chicago’s Red Flag. It is a visual of a woman pulling a bloody tampon out. It worked as something to demystify what people saw as humiliating and traumatising. Vanessa Tiegs in 2000 popularised the term Menstrala through her art and aimed for it to be “universal, just like our cycles.” Today, we see different interpretations of period art. Some choose to use their own menstrual blood to create paintings while others convey the menstrual cycles through creative illustrations. Both are equally important in today’s narrative, but the one with the blood makes the statement. It asserts that menstrual blood is normal. Blood of a man is seen as brave, maybe even a thing of honour but if it’s a woman who suffered in pain while her insides tore apart, it’s a taboo.

There seem to be only two extremes when it comes to this; menstrual art is probably radical at best and disgusting at worse. What some fail to understand here is that it is a form of protest. Protest against misogyny, patriarchy, stereotypes and hate. Does the blood from only violent protests take priority? Women aren’t going anywhere so what’s the point in ignoring something that women can’t live without? The whole point of menstrual blood is to beautify something that’s looked down upon. While there should be no need for it in the first place, women have taken it upon themselves to rightfully sensitise the world to it. Blood on paper, on cloth, on glass and on many more surfaces spread in a manner nothing short of graceful.

Menstrual art is all things some men perceive women as- attention-seeking, in need of the limelight and out there, and that’s okay. Art as a form of expression is appreciated in all shapes and forms until it comes to the point where women want to make a point. It is beautiful, strong, brave and encouraging- much like things some men would never perceive women as.

Chhaupadi: Alienating Women

March 14, 2020March 15, 2020 by redbadgeofcourage2020 ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Shreya Singhal

A woman outside *chhau*
*Source: savethechildren.net*

In yet another instance of regressive practices born out of superstition and discrimination, menstruation in far-west parts of Nepal is considered taboo. It takes hush-hush to an entirely new level where menstruating individuals are barred from their own home sand made to stay in sheds outside, with cattle and other animals. This Hindu practice is called chhaupadiand is rooted in ideas of religion. The idea is to not offend the deities with period blood, which is considered impure. Consequently, the carrier of that period blood is considered impure too and shunned from the society.

The menstruating individual, specifically the woman, is not allowed to enter the kitchen, touch food or anything religious or that which is considered sacred. She is not allowed to touch even the man, who is apparently the superior gender having undergone the sacred ritual of “Bratabandha”and cannot be compromised by the bleeding woman’s impurity.

The practice is not a standalone one and is steeped in a system of deep misogyny. The Nepalese festival of Rishi Panchamiis meant for women to purify themselves by water, fasting and prayer in order to purge themselves of the sin and impurity of menstruation. Menstruation is seen as a purgatorial practice that women need to go through to atone for being the inferior gender.

The tragedy of the practice lies in the paucity of basic rights in the chhaupadi shed or chhau. Women do not have access to basic human requirements in the shed, which is unhygienic, unequipped and even unfavorable for human dwelling. Women have died in these sheds due to hygiene abuse, lack of food water and basic care.

These sheds have come under the scrutiny of human rights organizations, which condemn such sub-human treatment of individuals. Even though the government has banned the use of these sheds in 2017, the practice continues to exist. A legal ban is not enough to address the deeply rooted stigma that surrounds the concept of menstruation. Menstruation needs to be seen for the natural process that it is and not a mystical thing imposed on people as a penalty. If human excretion were to be treated like that, people would realize the absurdity of shunning a natural process like this.

Menstrual Hygiene Explored: Dignity — *source: http://www.girlsglobe.org*

It is disheartening to see that at a time when there is ever-growing awareness about the ideas of sex and gender and growing acceptance for the same, such anachronistic practices exist. These practices not only relegate individuals to a sub-human level but even cost them their lives, in some cases. The only sustainable solution for this issue lies in changing the mindset of the society from the grassroots. If everyone, especially boys, are taught at an early age that menstruation is a natural process and the idea of impurity and superstition is severed from it, there could be hope of creating more acceptance in the society for menstruation and women.

More to Periods than Pads

February 23, 2020March 15, 2020 by redbadgeofcourage2020 ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Veera Jain

You may cut down on some wants or even needs every month due to month end position of pocket and delay buying it but one expense which cannot be avoided every month is- Sanitary Pads. And at what cost are we buying it? When we buy pads, most of us look at its benefits and the different aspects of it like- material, capacity, etc. But we do not look at the effects of pad which the brand is not showing us. There is very little consciousness about pads and the worse effects they have on our bodies. (Read previous article to know more about pads and its effects.) So then what to do, what to use and where to get it from? Don’t worry ladies; in this article we cover that all up.

Tampons

Tampons are inserted in the vagina and if inserted correctly a tampon is held in place by the vagina and expands as it soaks up menstrual blood. The majority of tampons sold are made of rayon, or a blend of rayon and cotton. There’s a myth that if your insert a tampon in your vagina, your hymen breaks but as said: it’s a myth. However, tampons are better than pads but the reusable ones are not easily available in India as of now but you can get the ones available online and sometimes offline too.

Menstruation Cups

Menstruation cups are not very new to market but they are quite unheard of in the world of pads. Menstrual cups are bell-shaped, reusable cup made from medical grade silicone. Once inserted and fitted securely cups will collect menstrual fluid for up to 12 hours, rather than absorb it as tampons and pads do. The best thing about them is that they are reusable and when you use them you are not only doing favor to your health but to environment’s too.

Reusable Cloth Pads

Now there are pads available which can be reused over and over by washing them and creating less wastage than we do every month. It is a onetime investment and an eco-friendly one. Most cloth pads are estimated to last up to five years if they’re properly cared for. People think they might smell but they don’t as the cloth pads tend to stay fresher than disposable pads. That’s because their fabric breathes which allows moisture to evaporate. They are available online.

Panty Liners

These can be used on those days when you have light flow The main purpose of panty liners is to absorb everyday vaginal discharge, flow during the days when your periods are actually over but you still have little spotting and staining and post-intercourse discharge. These are available in different variants and brands for you to choose according to your choice.

So time to switch to new product than usual boring pads?
Here’s to hoping on your next period you try something new and have a good experience.

For any queries feel free to connect to us.

Green Menstruation

February 16, 2020March 15, 2020 by redbadgeofcourage2020 ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Vini Sharma

Sustainable development, sustainable fashion, sustainable agriculture and the list goes on, I guess you must have heard of all these terms till now but have you ever wondered of adding the word sustainable to your menstruation? Yes, you heard it right folks! Sustainable Menstruation!

Red Badge of Courage is here with all you need to know about ‘Sustainable Menstruation’. Ladies, definitely you must avoid plastic here and there but what about the plastic shield which covers your sanitary napkins? Have you ever thought of its harmful effects? Oh, not only on your health but also on the environment! Yes, the plastic shield definitely prevents those embarrassing blotches on your pants but at the cost of your well being. Not only your well being but also at the cost of your very own environment. Did you know that a single woman can contribute to 125 kilograms of non- biodegradable waste through her menstruating years alone?

Its impact on your pretty health

Most of us have grown up using plastic-based sanitary napkins without realising its harmful hazards. The plastic which prevents the leakage and lets you flaunt those white pants without any stains, also becomes a breeding ground for the bacteria and fungi. It causes several infections, irritation, inflammation in the vagina and vulva and not to forget rashes. Sometimes it leads to pelvic inflammatory diseases and cervical cancer while also hampering your reproductive health. These plastic based pads need to be changed frequently to avoid bacterial built-up which usually becomes less possible while travelling or in areas lacking public washrooms. There is very little consciousness regarding these hazardous pads and the adverse effects they have on human bodies.

Its impact on your very own environment

Very less awareness is there regarding the disposal of plastic based sanitary pads. These pads are usually thrown into water bodies and they end up contaminating the water and also adversely affect the organisms living in those water bodies or they are thrown in the open dumping grounds which becomes the ground of deadly diseases. They are picked up by rag pickers with bare hands and that can put their health at a great risk as it consistsof blood and other bodily fluids of another person which can cause infections including HIV AIDS. Incineration is one of the ways of sanitary disposal but it is rarely followed.

Eco-friendly Alternatives

A large number of entrepreneurs have now ventured in this area of making eco- friendly pads. Re-usable sanitary tampons and pads are now available in the market which can be used just like the disposable ones without any guilt of causing harm to the environment or your health. These pads are healthier alternatives because they are made of natural fibres and products like bamboo, wool, cotton and hemp making them much more sustainable. Switching to these eco-friendly sanitary pads can help you save your health as well as your environment. Red badge of courage advises you to give up these plastic sanitary pads as there should be no compromise with your intimate health. Period.

Around the World in Our Bloody Pants

February 5, 2020March 15, 2020 by redbadgeofcourage2020 ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Sheetal Patro

You wake up one morning, in the midst of a jungle, in the U.S.A. The pants are spotted with a huge red blotch. I suggest you women to run to save your soul. Apparently, the Americans believe that bears have a thing towards period blood; I don’t blame their taste buds. You ran hard enough to catch the next flight to end up in Israel. The best thing to do is to protect your cheeks in order to not get slapped. The Israelis believe you will get blessed with beautiful red cheeks throughout your life. A long run done, an urge for a hot shower might arise, please don’t tell your Israeli roommate about it, he/she will warn you that a hot shower will give you a heavy flow. It’s dinnertime, your Argentinean friends have come over, so don’t reveal to them about your chums, for they will restrict you from touching the whipped cream in the fear that it will get curdled, phew! Yes, whip that cream anyway! Don’t tell that one Japanese friend in the group you have rolled that sushi being on your period, he/she might just complain about the taste imbalance in it. It’s morning, it’s a new day, well the second day of your period.

You are in Malaysia the next morning to attend an office meeting. You decided to change your pad at the airport. It’s midnight, there is a strange sound in the hall, your eyes are witnessing paranormal activities, the ghosts in Malaysia don’t approve of unwashed pads. You cannot fall asleep alone so you decide to call your polish colleague. Coitus might seem tempting at the hour, avoid it if possible. It’s a warning! According to Polish belief, you are deadly to your partner on your period. It’s the third day of your chums now. An old lady from Romania sells flowers near the hotel, the sweet orchid smell is something you want to treat yourself with, the orchid dies upon your touch. Listen to the rant of the old lady patiently; women on periods should avoid touching flowers, it was her mother, her mother who prepared her for that speech.

You are back in the U.S.; your granny is restless in the kitchen. She has cleaned the cucumbers; they are getting prepared for a cucumber pickle. The ideal thing to do would be stay out of her business to avoid blames on you if her pickles go bad from your touch!

The taboos doesn’t belong inside our pants!

Photo courtesy: http://www.pri.org

Menstruation 101

February 4, 2020March 15, 2020 by redbadgeofcourage2020 ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Meghna Mathew

Periods. Menstruation. Vagina. Discharge.

These are just a few words most individuals are intimidated by. Understandably so, if one does not know enough about them. While ignorance may be considered bliss, Red Badge of Courage believes that it is of utmost importance for men and women alike, to inform and educate themselves on the topic of menstruation.

Before we begin to explain why it is an extremely normal thing to occur in women after a certain age, and absolutely nothing to be ashamed about, let’s talk about where it takes place.

The female reproductive system is beautiful. We could definitely get into the complex biology of it but let’s save that for another day. Here’s the easy version-

The two ovaries on either side of the uterus are connected to it by fallopian tubes. The uterus opens out through the vagina. Every month, the ovaries produce a singular egg in hopes that it will be fertilised by a sperm to make a baby. The egg travels through the fallopian tubes and lands in the uterus, waiting for fertilisation to take place. The uterine wall thickens in order to accommodate the egg. At the point of time, two things can take place

Congratulations! You’re pregnant!
In this case, the egg gets fertilised by a sperm from a male (a whole different discussion awaits) and embeds itself into the uterine wall to grow into a foetus. It nourishes the foetus for its duration in the uterus and provides it with all the required nutrients. 9 months later, voila, you’ve got yourself a baby!
Here comes your period
If the egg is not fertilised by a sperm, it needs to be discarded somehow. This is done through the process of menstruation. The unfertilised egg dissolves and makes its way out of the body through the vagina. When pregnancy does not take place, the thick uterine wall is of no use either, so that too leaves the body through the vagina. Essentially, all the unrequired waste comes out through the vagina along a heavy side of blood.

This flow of blood and uterine waste can last from anywhere between three days to a week. The time period between the two periods is called the menstrual cycle; it should essentially last for 28 days. In this duration, the ovary sends out another egg to the uterus to be fertilised. If left unfertilised, a period takes place. This process is accompanied by immense pain in the lower abdomen and back, mood swings, nausea, dizziness, hot flashes and extreme discomfort. Each month a woman faces such challenges for what seems like a punishment for not being pregnant! Here’s a simple video that explains the entire process:

Red Badge of Courage is here to normalise periods and make everyone aware of what it really is. Bringing about a conversation is the only way to make people feel comfortable with the topic and in 2020, it is high time that happens.

Keep in mind- whatever you can do, a woman can do bleeding!