For women around the world, life is a seemingly never-ending rollercoaster of menstruation, which let us be honest isn't always a joyride. It comes with its hormonal ups and downs and period pain that can turn the journey into a bit of a turbulence.&nbsp;

Despite it being common knowledge that period pains can affect the daily lives of menstruating individuals, there is still a certain stigma when it comes to conversations on this 'taboo' topic.

On one hand, countries like Spain have approved menstrual leaves, on the other hand, nations and individuals continue to ignore what can be a debilitating issue for many women.

<h2>The ‘pain’ of period pain</h2>

What causes period pains? The answer is both tricky and straight. Every month, a woman's body sheds the uterine lining, a natural process characterised by cramps. Think rhythmic contractions, which help your body shed the waste material it doesn't need.&nbsp;

However, period pain, while a shared experience, varies from person to person.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;Gravitas | Paid Period Leave: Smriti Irani's comments spark debate

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Dr Smita B Kalappa, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Apollo Clinic, J P Nagar, Bengaluru,&nbsp; says, "Period pain, also known as dysmenorrhea, can vary significantly among individuals. For some women, the pain might be mild and manageable, ranking at a 2 or 3 on that scale. Others might experience more severe pain, reaching up to a 7, 8, or even 9, where it significantly disrupts daily activities and requires medication or medical attention."

In an exclusive conversation with WION, Dr Kalappa explained, "Not all women experience the same level of pain or discomfort during their periods. The severity and type of menstrual pain can vary greatly among individuals."&nbsp;

"Some may have mild cramps or discomfort that doesn't interfere much with their daily activities, while others might experience intense pain that significantly affects their quality of life," she adds.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-is-popping-meftal-spas-for-menstrual-cramps-safe-medical-experts-answer-668854">Is popping Meftal spas for menstrual cramps safe? Medical experts answer</a>

Dr Sandhya Rani, Sr Consultant - Obstetrics &amp; Gynaecology, Aster Women and Children, Bengaluru explains that for a lucky few — around 17 per cent, period pain is minimal. Around 50-90 per cent face moderate pain, and roughly 5-10 per cent face severe pain.

To help men understand the pain women go through, Dr Rani quotes John Guillebaud, a University College London reproductive health professor, who in a 2018 article said that patients described menstrual cramping pain as "almost as bad as having a heart attack."

<h2>How can women deal with dysmenorrhea, aka period pain?</h2>

Dr Gaana Sreenivas, Consultant - Obstetrician &amp; Gynaecologist, BirthRight by Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Bannerghatta, Bengaluru suggests that first and foremost women must reduce stress, and improve their mental and physical health. Deep breaths, meditation, or yoga are good options to do this. Furthermore, exercise, drinking soothing teas like chamomile, fennel, and ginger tea can also help, she said.

However, she warns that caffeine can make cramps worse, and instead recommends decaf for coffee lovers.

Alternatively, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help alleviate menstrual cramps. These help by reducing inflammation and thereby easing the pain. However, these drugs must be taken under medical supervision.&nbsp;

Applying heat can also help&nbsp;calm period cramps, "a&nbsp;hot bag is a lifesaver," she says, adding "Good emotional, social, physical, and psychological support is a must to tide over the phase of period pains".

<h2>How much bleeding is normal?</h2>

Typically, a woman loses between 20 to 80 millimetres of blood, equivalent to one and a half shot glasses during a normal menstrual cycle.&nbsp;

However, as with pain, this can vary from person to person. Those, with heavy menstrual flow, can lose much more than 80 ml. This can be due to a variety of factors "ranging from non-cancerous uterine growths like fibroids or polyps to more serious conditions such as uterine or cervical cancer," states Dr Rani.

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/life-fun/health-and-wellness/foods-that-you-should-avoid-during-menstrual-pain-1702496955967" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/life-fun/health-and-wellness/foods-that-you-should-avoid-during-menstrual-pain-1702496955967&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjtwuqdqK-DAxWe8zgGHQlxCNEQFnoECAcQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw3wrbXdnR2tS5MygDdSeoXB" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/life-fun/health-and-wellness/foods-that-you-should-avoid-during-menstrual-pain-1702496955967" target="_blank">Foods That You Should Avoid During&nbsp;Menstrual Pain</a>

Additionally, hormone-related health issues, like thyroid issues or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), can also contribute to a heavy menstrual flow. It could also be a warning sign of conditions like "von Willebrand disease (VWD) or platelet function disorder, and non-bleeding-related disorders like liver, kidney, or thyroid disease, pelvic inflammatory disease, and cancer, can also impact menstrual bleeding," she explains.

<h2>When should one consult a doctor?</h2>

Open conversations about periods and period pain can empower women, remove the shame and stigma, and also help level the so-called professional playing field.&nbsp;

It is crucial for women to consult healthcare professionals for personalised advice, ensuring a more informed and empowered approach to managing period pain.&nbsp;

"If the pain is exceptionally severe and unmanageable with over-the-counter medications, or if it's interfering significantly with work, it might be necessary to seek medical advice promptly," advises Dr Kalappa.

"Empathy and support can go a long way in helping women to manage this sometimes debilitating condition and also to open up and seek proper guidance instead of suffering in silence and labouring under many myths and misconceptions," she adds.

For women around the world, life is a seemingly never-ending rollercoaster of menstruation, which let us be honest isn't always a joyride. It comes with its hormonal ups and downs and period pain that can turn the journey into a bit of a turbulence.

For women around the world, life is a seemingly never-ending rollercoaster of menstruation, which let us be honest isn't always a joyride. It comes with its hormonal ups and downs and period pain that can turn the journey into a bit of a turbulence. Despite it being common knowledge that period pains can affect the daily lives of menstruating individuals, there is still a certain stigma when it comes to conversations on this 'taboo' topic. On one hand, countries like Spain have approved menstrual leaves, on the other hand, nations and individuals continue to ignore what can be a debilitating issue for many women. The ‘pain’ of period pain What causes period pains? The answer is both tricky and straight. Every month, a woman's body sheds the uterine lining, a natural process characterised by cramps. Think rhythmic contractions, which help your body shed the waste material it doesn't need. However, period pain, while a shared experience, varies from person to person. Also read | Gravitas | Paid Period Leave: Smriti Irani's comments spark debate × Dr Smita B Kalappa, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Apollo Clinic, J P Nagar, Bengaluru, says, "Period pain, also known as dysmenorrhea, can vary significantly among individuals. For some women, the pain might be mild and manageable, ranking at a 2 or 3 on that scale. Others might experience more severe pain, reaching up to a 7, 8, or even 9, where it significantly disrupts daily activities and requires medication or medical attention." In an exclusive conversation with WION, Dr Kalappa explained, "Not all women experience the same level of pain or discomfort during their periods. The severity and type of menstrual pain can vary greatly among individuals." "Some may have mild cramps or discomfort that doesn't interfere much with their daily activities, while others might experience intense pain that significantly affects their quality of life," she adds. Also read | Is popping Meftal spas for menstrual cramps safe? Medical experts answer Dr Sandhya Rani, Sr Consultant - Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Aster Women and Children, Bengaluru explains that for a lucky few — around 17 per cent, period pain is minimal. Around 50-90 per cent face moderate pain, and roughly 5-10 per cent face severe pain. To help men understand the pain women go through, Dr Rani quotes John Guillebaud, a University College London reproductive health professor, who in a 2018 article said that patients described menstrual cramping pain as "almost as bad as having a heart attack." How can women deal with dysmenorrhea, aka period pain? Dr Gaana Sreenivas, Consultant - Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, BirthRight by Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Bannerghatta, Bengaluru suggests that first and foremost women must reduce stress, and improve their mental and physical health. Deep breaths, meditation, or yoga are good options to do this. Furthermore, exercise, drinking soothing teas like chamomile, fennel, and ginger tea can also help, she said. However, she warns that caffeine can make cramps worse, and instead recommends decaf for coffee lovers. Alternatively, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help alleviate menstrual cramps. These help by reducing inflammation and thereby easing the pain. However, these drugs must be taken under medical supervision. Applying heat can also help calm period cramps, "a hot bag is a lifesaver," she says, adding "Good emotional, social, physical, and psychological support is a must to tide over the phase of period pains". How much bleeding is normal? Typically, a woman loses between 20 to 80 millimetres of blood, equivalent to one and a half shot glasses during a normal menstrual cycle. However, as with pain, this can vary from person to person. Those, with heavy menstrual flow, can lose much more than 80 ml. This can be due to a variety of factors "ranging from non-cancerous uterine growths like fibroids or polyps to more serious conditions such as uterine or cervical cancer," states Dr Rani. Also read | Foods That You Should Avoid During Menstrual Pain Additionally, hormone-related health issues, like thyroid issues or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), can also contribute to a heavy menstrual flow. It could also be a warning sign of conditions like "von Willebrand disease (VWD) or platelet function disorder, and non-bleeding-related disorders like liver, kidney, or thyroid disease, pelvic inflammatory disease, and cancer, can also impact menstrual bleeding," she explains. When should one consult a doctor? Open conversations about periods and period pain can empower women, remove the shame and stigma, and also help level the so-called professional playing field. It is crucial for women to consult healthcare professionals for personalised advice, ensuring a more informed and empowered approach to managing period pain. "If the pain is exceptionally severe and unmanageable with over-the-counter medications, or if it's interfering significantly with work, it might be necessary to seek medical advice promptly," advises Dr Kalappa. "Empathy and support can go a long way in helping women to manage this sometimes debilitating condition and also to open up and seek proper guidance instead of suffering in silence and labouring under many myths and misconceptions," she adds.

Explained | Period Pain: Understanding and managing menstrual cramps, experts weigh in

On an average day, millions of people menstruate, with more than 300 million women and other menstruators, which includes transgender men or people who identify as nonbinary. According to a report by the World Bank, an estimated 500 million lack access to menstrual products and adequate facilities for menstrual health largely due to a lack of awareness, education, and/or cultural influences.&nbsp;

Women and adolescent girls are shamed, made fun of and even seen as “impure,” “dirty” or “unclean” when they are menstruating, a biological process which is essential to human reproduction. An average person uses over 11,000 sanitary products, which is over the course of 3,500 menstrual days, which last between three to seven days and add up to nearly 10 years of a person’s lifetime.&nbsp;

In a world where an estimated 500 million people struggle to procure menstrual products and have access to adequate facilities for menstrual health, several countries continue to impose what is known as the “tampon tax.” Here is what you need to know about the two issues affecting menstruators across the world:&nbsp;

<h2>What is World Menstrual Hygiene Day?</h2>

Considering the importance of menstrual health and hygiene, the world began observing Menstrual Hygiene Day, on the 28th day of the 5th month of the year, annually since 2014.&nbsp;

The reason behind this is that menstrual cycles last for an average of 28 days and people menstruate an average of five days each month. This year’s theme is “Making menstruation a normal fact of life by 2030.”&nbsp;

UN Population Fund (UNFPA) Executive Director Natalia Kanem said, “A girl’s first period should be a happy fact of life, a sign of coming of age with dignity. She should have access to everything necessary to understand and care for her body and attend school without stigma or shame.”&nbsp;

<h2>What is&nbsp;Menstrual Hygiene Management?</h2>

The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF define&nbsp;Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) as “Women and adolescent girls using a clean menstrual management material to absorb or collect menstrual blood, that can be changed in privacy as often as necessary, using soap and water for washing the body as required and having access to safe and convenient facilities to dispose of used menstrual management materials.”

In addition to this, menstruates also have the knowledge of basic facts linked to the menstrual cycle and how to manage it with dignity and without embarrassment or stigma, which is also seen as an important part of MHM.&nbsp;

Poor menstrual health and hygiene are seen as a hindrance to fundamental rights like working on going to school for women, girls and people who menstruate. This is considering the patterns of exclusion and shame arising from insufficient resources to manage menstruation, according to UNFPA. Furthermore, gender inequality, extreme poverty, humanitarian crises and harmful traditions can amplify deprivation and stigma, related to menstruation.&nbsp;

<h2>What is ‘period poverty’?</h2>

Period poverty refers to the struggle of many menstruates who cannot afford menstrual products as well as the increased economic vulnerability they face due to the financial burden posed by menstrual supplies. However, these costs are not limited to pads or tampons but also pain medication and underwear.&nbsp;

Period poverty also includes the lack of or absence of knowledge pertaining to menstrual hygiene education and sanitary facilities (washrooms/bathrooms). However, when we address period poverty, it is not just an economic issue but also a social and political one and this is where the concept of “tampon tax” comes in.&nbsp;

<h2>‘Tampon tax’: What is it and who is imposing it?</h2>

In a world where hundreds of millions of people are affected by “period poverty,” global calls for the end of the so-called tampon tax have increased. Tampon tax refers to the consumption levies such as value-added tax (VAT) which most countries charge on items such as sanitary pads, tampons, panty liners and menstrual cups.&nbsp;

While menstrual products in some countries are considered non-essential items for VAT purposes, items like toilet paper, condoms and over-the-counter medicines are tax-free or at least carry a lower levy. Notably, Kenya became the first country to scrap VAT on sanitary pads and tampons in 2004 and over a dozen other countries have followed suit, as per the data by Reuters.

Meanwhile, some 10 countries have moved to place sanitary products as tax-exempt goods or exempted the tax on imported raw materials used to make them. Last year, the European Union revised a directive which allowed its 27 member nations to reduce VAT on sanitary products by five per cent, which means they can lower taxes on some goods. &nbsp;

One of the reasons why tampon tax continues to be levied in many countries is because VAT is an important source of revenue for governments and is a large part of some countries' GDP. Furthermore, the VAT rates vary depending on the country, considering governments often have different definitions of what is considered an essential good that is exempted from the levy.&nbsp;

Notably, Scotland,&nbsp;last year became the first nation to make sanitary pads and tampons free at designated public places, like youth centres and pharmacies.&nbsp;

Where does India stand in all of this? 
&nbsp; 
The experience of menstruators across India differs but the stigma around the biological process remains prevalent in many parts of the country. Earlier this month, a 12-year-old girl was allegedly tortured and killed by her 30-year-old brother in the Thane district after he mistook the bloodstains on her clothes for her involvement in a sexual relationship. &nbsp;

As per media reports, the girl was unable to explain the reason behind the bloodstains on her clothes due to her lack of knowledge about menstruation. She was reportedly subjected to torture as the accused allegedly inflicted severe burns on various parts of the victim’s body and after days of being kicked and punched, she was taken to the hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.&nbsp;

Additionally, nearly 33 crore menstruating women are affected by different levels of “period poverty,” either in terms of access to menstrual products, information, or infrastructure for hygiene. A report by NGO Dasra and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) shows that 23 million girls are forced to drop out of school every year due to a lack of proper MHM facilities.&nbsp;

A 2018 study conducted by UNICEF shows 70 per cent of Indian mothers believed menstruation is “dirty.” This translates to practices like girls not being allowed to touch members of the family, or enter the kitchen, and sometimes even being made to eat separately, as per reports. In some parts of the country, women and girls are also made to sleep outside the house, often in a hut or livestock shed.&nbsp;

However, it is not all doom and gloom.&nbsp;In 2018, India scrapped its tax on menstrual products following months of campaigning by activists over the government’s 12 per cent duty on menstrual hygiene products which sparked outrage across the country. It came to be known as ‘Lahu ka Lagaan’ which translates to “blood tax”.&nbsp;

The move was welcomed considering periods are one of the leading reasons why girls drop out of schools in India while others are forced to stay at home due to the lack of access to menstrual products. According to the recent National Family Health Survey, over 30 per cent of women between the age of 15 and 24 do not use hygiene methods like “locally prepared napkins, sanitary napkins, tampons, and menstrual cups” during their period.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;

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On an average day, millions of people menstruate, with more than 300 million women and other menstruators, which includes transgender men or people who identify as nonbinary.

On an average day, millions of people menstruate, with more than 300 million women and other menstruators, which includes transgender men or people who identify as nonbinary. According to a report by the World Bank, an estimated 500 million lack access to menstrual products and adequate facilities for menstrual health largely due to a lack of awareness, education, and/or cultural influences. Women and adolescent girls are shamed, made fun of and even seen as “impure,” “dirty” or “unclean” when they are menstruating, a biological process which is essential to human reproduction. An average person uses over 11,000 sanitary products, which is over the course of 3,500 menstrual days, which last between three to seven days and add up to nearly 10 years of a person’s lifetime. In a world where an estimated 500 million people struggle to procure menstrual products and have access to adequate facilities for menstrual health, several countries continue to impose what is known as the “tampon tax.” Here is what you need to know about the two issues affecting menstruators across the world: What is World Menstrual Hygiene Day? Considering the importance of menstrual health and hygiene, the world began observing Menstrual Hygiene Day, on the 28th day of the 5th month of the year, annually since 2014. The reason behind this is that menstrual cycles last for an average of 28 days and people menstruate an average of five days each month. This year’s theme is “Making menstruation a normal fact of life by 2030.” UN Population Fund (UNFPA) Executive Director Natalia Kanem said, “A girl’s first period should be a happy fact of life, a sign of coming of age with dignity. She should have access to everything necessary to understand and care for her body and attend school without stigma or shame.” What is Menstrual Hygiene Management? The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF define Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) as “Women and adolescent girls using a clean menstrual management material to absorb or collect menstrual blood, that can be changed in privacy as often as necessary, using soap and water for washing the body as required and having access to safe and convenient facilities to dispose of used menstrual management materials.” In addition to this, menstruates also have the knowledge of basic facts linked to the menstrual cycle and how to manage it with dignity and without embarrassment or stigma, which is also seen as an important part of MHM. Poor menstrual health and hygiene are seen as a hindrance to fundamental rights like working on going to school for women, girls and people who menstruate. This is considering the patterns of exclusion and shame arising from insufficient resources to manage menstruation, according to UNFPA. Furthermore, gender inequality, extreme poverty, humanitarian crises and harmful traditions can amplify deprivation and stigma, related to menstruation. What is ‘period poverty’? Period poverty refers to the struggle of many menstruates who cannot afford menstrual products as well as the increased economic vulnerability they face due to the financial burden posed by menstrual supplies. However, these costs are not limited to pads or tampons but also pain medication and underwear. Period poverty also includes the lack of or absence of knowledge pertaining to menstrual hygiene education and sanitary facilities (washrooms/bathrooms). However, when we address period poverty, it is not just an economic issue but also a social and political one and this is where the concept of “tampon tax” comes in. ‘Tampon tax’: What is it and who is imposing it? In a world where hundreds of millions of people are affected by “period poverty,” global calls for the end of the so-called tampon tax have increased. Tampon tax refers to the consumption levies such as value-added tax (VAT) which most countries charge on items such as sanitary pads, tampons, panty liners and menstrual cups. While menstrual products in some countries are considered non-essential items for VAT purposes, items like toilet paper, condoms and over-the-counter medicines are tax-free or at least carry a lower levy. Notably, Kenya became the first country to scrap VAT on sanitary pads and tampons in 2004 and over a dozen other countries have followed suit, as per the data by Reuters. Meanwhile, some 10 countries have moved to place sanitary products as tax-exempt goods or exempted the tax on imported raw materials used to make them. Last year, the European Union revised a directive which allowed its 27 member nations to reduce VAT on sanitary products by five per cent, which means they can lower taxes on some goods. One of the reasons why tampon tax continues to be levied in many countries is because VAT is an important source of revenue for governments and is a large part of some countries' GDP. Furthermore, the VAT rates vary depending on the country, considering governments often have different definitions of what is considered an essential good that is exempted from the levy. Notably, Scotland, last year became the first nation to make sanitary pads and tampons free at designated public places, like youth centres and pharmacies. Where does India stand in all of this? The experience of menstruators across India differs but the stigma around the biological process remains prevalent in many parts of the country. Earlier this month, a 12-year-old girl was allegedly tortured and killed by her 30-year-old brother in the Thane district after he mistook the bloodstains on her clothes for her involvement in a sexual relationship. As per media reports, the girl was unable to explain the reason behind the bloodstains on her clothes due to her lack of knowledge about menstruation. She was reportedly subjected to torture as the accused allegedly inflicted severe burns on various parts of the victim’s body and after days of being kicked and punched, she was taken to the hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries. Additionally, nearly 33 crore menstruating women are affected by different levels of “period poverty,” either in terms of access to menstrual products, information, or infrastructure for hygiene. A report by NGO Dasra and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) shows that 23 million girls are forced to drop out of school every year due to a lack of proper MHM facilities. A 2018 study conducted by UNICEF shows 70 per cent of Indian mothers believed menstruation is “dirty.” This translates to practices like girls not being allowed to touch members of the family, or enter the kitchen, and sometimes even being made to eat separately, as per reports. In some parts of the country, women and girls are also made to sleep outside the house, often in a hut or livestock shed. However, it is not all doom and gloom. In 2018, India scrapped its tax on menstrual products following months of campaigning by activists over the government’s 12 per cent duty on menstrual hygiene products which sparked outrage across the country. It came to be known as ‘Lahu ka Lagaan’ which translates to “blood tax”. The move was welcomed considering periods are one of the leading reasons why girls drop out of schools in India while others are forced to stay at home due to the lack of access to menstrual products. According to the recent National Family Health Survey, over 30 per cent of women between the age of 15 and 24 do not use hygiene methods like “locally prepared napkins, sanitary napkins, tampons, and menstrual cups” during their period. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Explained | Menstrual Hygiene Day: ‘Tampon tax’ in a world that struggles with ‘period poverty’

A lot of women are standing up for their rights which they feel are being taken away by some of the big corporations. Women have started taking their employers to court citing the menopause period as proof of unfair dismissal and gender discrimination.

Researchers have used the latest data from the UK to conclude that there has been a rise in cases where women have challenged their employers for failing to understand the impact of menopause on women and not offering enough support.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-women-slowly-become-more-welcome-at-golf-venue-403530" hreflang="en">Tokyo Olympics: Women slowly become more welcome at golf venue</a>

"I can see that this will carry on building until such time as there are some really big, group lawsuits, which I’m sure there will be," said Dee Murray, the founder and chief executive of&nbsp;Menopause Experts who led this research. "The women in a lot of the big companies are already setting up their own private, internal menopause support groups. If they decide their issues are not supported by HR, you could potentially have a real problem."

As per the data, five employment tribunals with regard to menopause were reported in 2018, six in 2019 and 16 in 2020. Shockingly, there have 10 reported cases in the first six months of 2021.

Out of the 70 per cent of women workforce in the UK, almost 4.5 million are in the age bracket of 50 to 64, and employers happily want to retain them due to their profit-earning capabilities and their success standards. However, the issue of women in this age bracket facing trouble due to menopause is rarely discussed.

As per recent research by British experts, one in four women consider leaving their jobs due to the hardships they face during their menopause period.

"We regularly hear horror stories about how women are discriminated against in the workforce, and sadly menopause is one area where employers keep getting it wrong," Murray said. "This dramatic rise in the number of employment tribunals citing menopause shows how women are standing up for themselves against outdated and ill-informed bosses. The lack of education is dangerous for women’s health and unfair to their careers."

A lot of women are standing up for their rights which they feel are being taken away by some of the big corporations. Women have started taking their employers to court citing the menopause period as proof of unfair dismissal and gender discrimination.

A lot of women are standing up for their rights which they feel are being taken away by some of the big corporations. Women have started taking their employers to court citing the menopause period as proof of unfair dismissal and gender discrimination. Researchers have used the latest data from the UK to conclude that there has been a rise in cases where women have challenged their employers for failing to understand the impact of menopause on women and not offering enough support. Also read | Tokyo Olympics: Women slowly become more welcome at golf venue "I can see that this will carry on building until such time as there are some really big, group lawsuits, which I’m sure there will be," said Dee Murray, the founder and chief executive of Menopause Experts who led this research. "The women in a lot of the big companies are already setting up their own private, internal menopause support groups. If they decide their issues are not supported by HR, you could potentially have a real problem." As per the data, five employment tribunals with regard to menopause were reported in 2018, six in 2019 and 16 in 2020. Shockingly, there have 10 reported cases in the first six months of 2021. Out of the 70 per cent of women workforce in the UK, almost 4.5 million are in the age bracket of 50 to 64, and employers happily want to retain them due to their profit-earning capabilities and their success standards. However, the issue of women in this age bracket facing trouble due to menopause is rarely discussed. As per recent research by British experts, one in four women consider leaving their jobs due to the hardships they face during their menopause period. "We regularly hear horror stories about how women are discriminated against in the workforce, and sadly menopause is one area where employers keep getting it wrong," Murray said. "This dramatic rise in the number of employment tribunals citing menopause shows how women are standing up for themselves against outdated and ill-informed bosses. The lack of education is dangerous for women’s health and unfair to their careers."

UK women call out employers for not understanding pain of menopause

It may be called the misfortune of the country that despite regarding the motherland as Bharat ‘Mata’, we have failed in reading and respecting the daughters of the ‘Mata’.

What is more unfortunate is that left-leaning &amp; self-proclaimed ‘feminist’ historians who were entrusted with the responsibility of building syllabi for the future of the country preferred to put up fake and evidence-less theories of Aryan Invasion instead of teaching the students about the valor and the effective authoritarian values of our women leaders.

One must ask a question to the ‘historians’ if the role of Rani Laxmibai was so minute in the freedom struggle that she was wrapped up within a paragraph? It is a very well known fact that Jijabai, the mother of Shivaji Maharaj, had a huge constructive impression on the Chhatrapati and she was the inspiration to the idea of ‘Hindavi Swarajya’.&nbsp;

Then why is it that we prefer to have a case study on Akbar and not on Jijabai? If we are to enumerate the achievements of both, the latter would clearly have an upper hand.&nbsp;

Was it not Akbar who used to marry off the daughters of the Rajput kings who he knew were masters in warfare? Jijabai, on the other hand, started from nil. She carved out an empire from dust. An empire that would one day be the main force all across Hindustan. The warfare of the Marathas, especially the Naval forces and the guerilla warfare have been praised by multiple British historians. Ironically, the Indian historians stay silent over the same.

We, the general public, have very easily, let the left lobby carry out their agenda. This is why the birth of a child of a virgin mother becomes ‘history’ and a determined woman killing a tyrant and a despot free the world from his clutches is unrealistic and hence ‘mythological’.

Peeping into the past of India, we have women adept in every field. You name it and we have it.

Gargi, the embodiment of Knowledge; Sita, the personification of chastity; Panna Dhai, the incorporation of Sacrifice; Padmavati, the incarnation of honour; Jijabai, the quintessence of self-rule; Rani Laxmibai, the essence of Patriotism and so on.

The list is countless.

One major reason for this was found in a recent survey conducted across a sample size of 74000+ by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

In a shocking conclusion, we came to know that only 28 per cent of the content taught in Social Studies from class 6 to 8 were written or authored by women. The condition of Sanskrit is even worse at only 16 per cent. As we go towards higher standards, this percentage deteriorates. In textbooks of 10th standard, this percentage is around 7.14 per cent. In 11th standard textbooks, lessons by women writers are 5.8 per cent only.

This is basic human psyche that a person is likely to resonate with another person of the same gender in terms of ideology and ideals. This theory actually explains the absence of women figures from the educational framework in recent times, may they be historical or divine. The situation would improve if certain fake philosophy peddling historians stop carrying out their personal agenda and focus on the real historical figures which we have revered over the ages.

Almost all of us would have studied the grave gender imbalance in the state of Haryana. Reducing the gap between the genders can be truly counted as an achievement for the outgoing Khattar government. From an abysmal 832 girls for every 1000 boys in 2012 to the 924 girls per 1000 boys as per government figures of December 2018; this is the sheer success of government policies such as Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao.&nbsp;

Karnal tops the state with a ration of 979 girls in 2018 up from 797 in 2012. A village of Haryana in Mahendragarh district, Amarpur Jorasi, recorded Sex ratio at birth of just 291 girls in 2014.&nbsp;

This figure soared to an impressive 1190 girls per 1000 girls as per government records. This figure also shows that Bollywood and movies made revolving around social figures are being successful in bringing about a change in society.

Talking about the menstrual cycle among girls, which until a few years ago was considered as a taboo, the survey got out interesting results. 60.29 per cent of girls claimed that they avoid entering into the temples whereas 43.74 per cent claimed that they were not allowed to participate in any kind of religious activities. 20.13 per cent girls opined that they were prevented to touch other person and segregate themselves from other.&nbsp;

It is the positive effect of an open and healthy discussion that we are able to talk of menstruation without fear of societal taboo. Perhaps, the time is ripe that we begin to celebrate menstruation as divinity and an ability to give birth. The coastal state of Odisha has a tradition of celebrating the menstrual cycle over 4 days known as ‘Raja’.&nbsp;

The Shakti Peeth of Kamakhya, which is known for granting wishes relating to childbirth, to celebrates menstruation.

One of the most interesting conclusions from this survey was that the women with the highest level of satisfaction hailed from the spiritual field.&nbsp;

87.83 per cent women in this field feel that women should participate in large numbers in the spiritual field as it gives happiness, peace of mind and self-confidence. India has always had a rich tradition of spirituality and women since beginning remained a part of it.&nbsp;

There are thousands of women dedicated to spirituality and living a different life. There are so many disciplines in spirituality exist in India having different ways of worships. The people who are dedicated to this field supposed to follow all the rules and style of living which is not that easy for common people.

The findings of the survey also reinforced the ancient and traditional concept that happiness is not dependent on materialism and is more about the connection with the divine. The forces which try to demolish the school of thought of Sanatan divinity should try to connect to the spiritual life rather than mumbling gibberish. 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) &nbsp; 
&nbsp;

It may be called the misfortune of the country that despite regarding the motherland as Bharat ‘Mata’, we have failed in reading and respecting the daughters of the ‘Mata’.

It may be called the misfortune of the country that despite regarding the motherland as Bharat ‘Mata’, we have failed in reading and respecting the daughters of the ‘Mata’. What is more unfortunate is that left-leaning & self-proclaimed ‘feminist’ historians who were entrusted with the responsibility of building syllabi for the future of the country preferred to put up fake and evidence-less theories of Aryan Invasion instead of teaching the students about the valor and the effective authoritarian values of our women leaders. One must ask a question to the ‘historians’ if the role of Rani Laxmibai was so minute in the freedom struggle that she was wrapped up within a paragraph? It is a very well known fact that Jijabai, the mother of Shivaji Maharaj, had a huge constructive impression on the Chhatrapati and she was the inspiration to the idea of ‘Hindavi Swarajya’. Then why is it that we prefer to have a case study on Akbar and not on Jijabai? If we are to enumerate the achievements of both, the latter would clearly have an upper hand. Was it not Akbar who used to marry off the daughters of the Rajput kings who he knew were masters in warfare? Jijabai, on the other hand, started from nil. She carved out an empire from dust. An empire that would one day be the main force all across Hindustan. The warfare of the Marathas, especially the Naval forces and the guerilla warfare have been praised by multiple British historians. Ironically, the Indian historians stay silent over the same. We, the general public, have very easily, let the left lobby carry out their agenda. This is why the birth of a child of a virgin mother becomes ‘history’ and a determined woman killing a tyrant and a despot free the world from his clutches is unrealistic and hence ‘mythological’. Peeping into the past of India, we have women adept in every field. You name it and we have it. Gargi, the embodiment of Knowledge; Sita, the personification of chastity; Panna Dhai, the incorporation of Sacrifice; Padmavati, the incarnation of honour; Jijabai, the quintessence of self-rule; Rani Laxmibai, the essence of Patriotism and so on. The list is countless. One major reason for this was found in a recent survey conducted across a sample size of 74000+ by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). In a shocking conclusion, we came to know that only 28 per cent of the content taught in Social Studies from class 6 to 8 were written or authored by women. The condition of Sanskrit is even worse at only 16 per cent. As we go towards higher standards, this percentage deteriorates. In textbooks of 10th standard, this percentage is around 7.14 per cent. In 11th standard textbooks, lessons by women writers are 5.8 per cent only. This is basic human psyche that a person is likely to resonate with another person of the same gender in terms of ideology and ideals. This theory actually explains the absence of women figures from the educational framework in recent times, may they be historical or divine. The situation would improve if certain fake philosophy peddling historians stop carrying out their personal agenda and focus on the real historical figures which we have revered over the ages. Almost all of us would have studied the grave gender imbalance in the state of Haryana. Reducing the gap between the genders can be truly counted as an achievement for the outgoing Khattar government. From an abysmal 832 girls for every 1000 boys in 2012 to the 924 girls per 1000 boys as per government figures of December 2018; this is the sheer success of government policies such as Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao. Karnal tops the state with a ration of 979 girls in 2018 up from 797 in 2012. A village of Haryana in Mahendragarh district, Amarpur Jorasi, recorded Sex ratio at birth of just 291 girls in 2014. This figure soared to an impressive 1190 girls per 1000 girls as per government records. This figure also shows that Bollywood and movies made revolving around social figures are being successful in bringing about a change in society. Talking about the menstrual cycle among girls, which until a few years ago was considered as a taboo, the survey got out interesting results. 60.29 per cent of girls claimed that they avoid entering into the temples whereas 43.74 per cent claimed that they were not allowed to participate in any kind of religious activities. 20.13 per cent girls opined that they were prevented to touch other person and segregate themselves from other. It is the positive effect of an open and healthy discussion that we are able to talk of menstruation without fear of societal taboo. Perhaps, the time is ripe that we begin to celebrate menstruation as divinity and an ability to give birth. The coastal state of Odisha has a tradition of celebrating the menstrual cycle over 4 days known as ‘Raja’. The Shakti Peeth of Kamakhya, which is known for granting wishes relating to childbirth, to celebrates menstruation. One of the most interesting conclusions from this survey was that the women with the highest level of satisfaction hailed from the spiritual field. 87.83 per cent women in this field feel that women should participate in large numbers in the spiritual field as it gives happiness, peace of mind and self-confidence. India has always had a rich tradition of spirituality and women since beginning remained a part of it. There are thousands of women dedicated to spirituality and living a different life. There are so many disciplines in spirituality exist in India having different ways of worships. The people who are dedicated to this field supposed to follow all the rules and style of living which is not that easy for common people. The findings of the survey also reinforced the ancient and traditional concept that happiness is not dependent on materialism and is more about the connection with the divine. The forces which try to demolish the school of thought of Sanatan divinity should try to connect to the spiritual life rather than mumbling gibberish. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Breaking the stereotypes

It&#39;s not often we get to see a Bollywood film dealing with an important social issue, trying to break a stereotype established in the society for centuries and most importantly an A-lister actor taking on this challenge to portray a risky character who may or may not be able to make into the hearts of the masses.&nbsp;

Releasing tomorrow on February 9, PadMan starring Akshay Kumar in the lead along with Sonam Kapoor and Radhika Apte will take on this challenge. The story is inspired by real-life story of&nbsp;Arunachalam Muruganantham,&nbsp;a&nbsp;social entrepreneur&nbsp;from&nbsp;Coimbatore&nbsp;in&nbsp;Tamil Nadu,&nbsp;India. Inventor of the low-cost sanitary pad-making machine and credited for innovating grassroots mechanisms for creating awareness about traditional and unhygienic practices around menstruation in rural India, the film traces Arunachalam&#39;s hurdles and rise to fame in real-life.&nbsp;

Arunachalam dropped out of school at&nbsp;14 years of age and&nbsp;worked as a farm labourer, workshop welder to earn his daily wage for several years before being hit by the realisation that Indian rural women have no access or awareness about their own personal hygiene. He understood the challenges faced by women on a monthly basis after being in close quarters with his wife and watching her use unhygienic products to stop bleeding during her menstruation cycle.&nbsp;

In an exclusive interview with WION, the real &#39;PadMan&#39;&nbsp;opens up about his ongoing struggle for women&#39;s personal hygiene awareness and his hopes from the Bollywood movie of the same name:

<ul>
	<li>How important is it for Bollywood to take up the issue of menstrual hygiene -- still a social taboo in India?&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

For 18 years we have been working towards menstrual hygiene awareness in the country but nobody talks about women&#39;s menstruation. In fact, it would be the first time that an interview is based on this issue.&nbsp;Nobody has spoken about it for centuries-- mother never talks to daughter or&nbsp;vice versa. Now that a Bollywood movie is being made on the topic, the film with its visual space will at least empower women to talk about it, to open up. Via Akshay Kumar, via this movie, women will be empowered to start a dialogue. I am hopeful that since its a Bollywood movie, the topic it deals with will reach nook and corner of India and the world, something we always aspired to be able to do.&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>The focus of the film and your campaign is mostly on rural population, however, the urban populace is also affected by social taboos like not visiting the temple while menstruating. Most feel it&#39;s a part of Hindu tradition. Some think there are scientific reasons behind it.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

These are century-old traditions, it will slowly go away via debates.&nbsp;Instead of looking for an opportunity from the society, I tried finding a solution to the problem with the little knowledge I had and became a solution-provider. In India, we need to become that and then we can become a superpower.&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>In 1998, when you approached&nbsp;Shanti, your wife to use sanitary napkins, she said we have to compensate on&nbsp;house budget to afford, what can the government do to make sanitary pads available and affordable?&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

The government needs to start by making a propaganda&nbsp;for menstrual hygiene&nbsp;awareness, to educate the women and then give them&nbsp;pads. I want them (government) to join us for this initiative. Currently, they just give pads without making them aware, it is useless.&nbsp;If you drop coke inside the jungle, what will the tribals do with it?

We have started the Pad challenge via which we pose with a pad in hand. The message behind this is: &#39;I am holding the pad, it&#39;s not a sin, it&#39;s a pride&#39;.&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>At a point in your life, you wore pads for yourself to find out if they worked. It led to your&nbsp;mother leaving you and your wife filing for a divorce. The society even called you&nbsp;mentally unstable. How did you cope?</li>
</ul>

The whole society thought I was a pervert, a psycho and neglected me. I&nbsp;literally cried watching a scene in the movie that depicted that phase of my life. On the flip side, it made me free, made me feel like a &#39;pardesi&#39;&nbsp;but that made my job easier. I took it positively and conducted research without any disturbance.&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>This one time you went to buy a sanitary pad for your wife, you faced a certain apprehension from the shopkeeper. Pease narrate.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

There was once when I got a chance to buy a sanitary&nbsp;pad for my wife when I saw her using a rag cloth -- I rode my cycle for 14 km&nbsp;and reached this shop. I asked the shopkeeper for a pad and he asked which brand, I had no idea what he meant and just asked him to give me any. He, then, took a packet, wrapped it in a brown packet, checked if no one was watching him and then handed me the packet readily. It looked like he was smuggling the packet to me. And this was not just limited to that place but even in Delhi where shopkeepers shy from handing the packet normally to you. There is so much stigma around that packet.&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Sanitary pads are liable to 12% GST&nbsp;while there are products like sindoor, bindi, kajal that are free of tax. The government argues that if they&nbsp;remove the tax from pads then they would end up taking a massive hit on the domestic market and on imports. &nbsp;</li>
</ul>

They are only concerned about AA, availability and affordability while we are focusing our attention on a third A-- awareness as that is missing. GST is not a problem when you teach the importance of hygiene. People won&#39;t shy off from paying one or two rupees more. Also, the government can make pads tax free and not make losses as the spending on women&#39;s personal health will then come down if awareness is prioritised. They can even end up saving double.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>In India, 93% women&nbsp;can&#39;t afford sanitary napkins. What do you hope to achieve?&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Our mission is creating rural employment for millions of women in India and converting India into 100% sanitary napkin using country from the current level of less than 10%. The film will help us to achieve this mission.&nbsp;

In 2014, Arunachalam was named by Time&#39;s magazine as one of the most influential people on the planet while also being awarded by the Government of India the prestigious Padma Shri.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Arunachalam is a South India-based social entrepreneur who invented a low-cost sanitary pad making machine and runs a campaign for importance women's personal hygiene awareness

It's not often we get to see a Bollywood film dealing with an important social issue, trying to break a stereotype established in the society for centuries and most importantly an A-lister actor taking on this challenge to portray a risky character who may or may not be able to make into the hearts of the masses. Releasing tomorrow on February 9, PadMan starring Akshay Kumar in the lead along with Sonam Kapoor and Radhika Apte will take on this challenge. The story is inspired by real-life story of Arunachalam Muruganantham, a social entrepreneur from Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, India. Inventor of the low-cost sanitary pad-making machine and credited for innovating grassroots mechanisms for creating awareness about traditional and unhygienic practices around menstruation in rural India, the film traces Arunachalam's hurdles and rise to fame in real-life. Arunachalam dropped out of school at 14 years of age and worked as a farm labourer, workshop welder to earn his daily wage for several years before being hit by the realisation that Indian rural women have no access or awareness about their own personal hygiene. He understood the challenges faced by women on a monthly basis after being in close quarters with his wife and watching her use unhygienic products to stop bleeding during her menstruation cycle. In an exclusive interview with WION, the real 'PadMan' opens up about his ongoing struggle for women's personal hygiene awareness and his hopes from the Bollywood movie of the same name: How important is it for Bollywood to take up the issue of menstrual hygiene -- still a social taboo in India? For 18 years we have been working towards menstrual hygiene awareness in the country but nobody talks about women's menstruation. In fact, it would be the first time that an interview is based on this issue. Nobody has spoken about it for centuries-- mother never talks to daughter or vice versa. Now that a Bollywood movie is being made on the topic, the film with its visual space will at least empower women to talk about it, to open up. Via Akshay Kumar, via this movie, women will be empowered to start a dialogue. I am hopeful that since its a Bollywood movie, the topic it deals with will reach nook and corner of India and the world, something we always aspired to be able to do. The focus of the film and your campaign is mostly on rural population, however, the urban populace is also affected by social taboos like not visiting the temple while menstruating. Most feel it's a part of Hindu tradition. Some think there are scientific reasons behind it. These are century-old traditions, it will slowly go away via debates. Instead of looking for an opportunity from the society, I tried finding a solution to the problem with the little knowledge I had and became a solution-provider. In India, we need to become that and then we can become a superpower. In 1998, when you approached Shanti, your wife to use sanitary napkins, she said we have to compensate on house budget to afford, what can the government do to make sanitary pads available and affordable? The government needs to start by making a propaganda for menstrual hygiene awareness, to educate the women and then give them pads. I want them (government) to join us for this initiative. Currently, they just give pads without making them aware, it is useless. If you drop coke inside the jungle, what will the tribals do with it? We have started the Pad challenge via which we pose with a pad in hand. The message behind this is: 'I am holding the pad, it's not a sin, it's a pride'. At a point in your life, you wore pads for yourself to find out if they worked. It led to your mother leaving you and your wife filing for a divorce. The society even called you mentally unstable. How did you cope? The whole society thought I was a pervert, a psycho and neglected me. I literally cried watching a scene in the movie that depicted that phase of my life. On the flip side, it made me free, made me feel like a 'pardesi' but that made my job easier. I took it positively and conducted research without any disturbance. This one time you went to buy a sanitary pad for your wife, you faced a certain apprehension from the shopkeeper. Pease narrate. There was once when I got a chance to buy a sanitary pad for my wife when I saw her using a rag cloth -- I rode my cycle for 14 km and reached this shop. I asked the shopkeeper for a pad and he asked which brand, I had no idea what he meant and just asked him to give me any. He, then, took a packet, wrapped it in a brown packet, checked if no one was watching him and then handed me the packet readily. It looked like he was smuggling the packet to me. And this was not just limited to that place but even in Delhi where shopkeepers shy from handing the packet normally to you. There is so much stigma around that packet. Sanitary pads are liable to 12% GST while there are products like sindoor, bindi, kajal that are free of tax. The government argues that if they remove the tax from pads then they would end up taking a massive hit on the domestic market and on imports. They are only concerned about AA, availability and affordability while we are focusing our attention on a third A-- awareness as that is missing. GST is not a problem when you teach the importance of hygiene. People won't shy off from paying one or two rupees more. Also, the government can make pads tax free and not make losses as the spending on women's personal health will then come down if awareness is prioritised. They can even end up saving double. In India, 93% women can't afford sanitary napkins. What do you hope to achieve? Our mission is creating rural employment for millions of women in India and converting India into 100% sanitary napkin using country from the current level of less than 10%. The film will help us to achieve this mission. In 2014, Arunachalam was named by Time's magazine as one of the most influential people on the planet while also being awarded by the Government of India the prestigious Padma Shri.

WION Exclusive: Meet the real 'PadMan' Arunachalam Muruganantham

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Breaking the stereotypes

WION Exclusive: Meet the real 'PadMan' Arunachalam Muruganantham