Experts from Queensland Health want to break the taboo and hush-hush culture around self-pleasure and have decided to use their social media accounts for this purpose.<o:p></o:p>

In a Facebook post, the institute decided to give some advice to their followers about how masturbation can be useful for one’s health. Loaded with multi-coloured infographics, the post began with a pun-based statement saying, "Give yourself a hand".

<o:p></o:p>

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The department is hoping to raise awareness about the topic and put an end to taboo related to it. The experts want to tell people that this process is a normal and healthy part of a person’s sexual experience.<o:p></o:p>

Experts also stated that it is a healthy way to learn more about one’s body, regardless of their relationship status, age and gender.<o:p></o:p>

“Masturbation is a normal and healthy part of a person’s sexual experience and a great way to discover what you are comfortable with. The best part is, it’s for everyone – and also offers a wealth of health and sexual health benefits!,” the post read. “It’s important for us all to work towards normalising sex-positive messages about masturbation to reduce associated feelings of shame and fear, and improve overall sexual health and literacy.”<o:p></o:p>

The department added a link to a detailed article which lists several health benefits of masturbation such as it releases endorphins that help in mental wellbeing. The article adds that masturbation releases endorphins which help relieve stress and bring a feeling of calmness and happiness in a human being.<o:p></o:p>

“Some&nbsp;specialists&nbsp;recommend masturbation during labour&nbsp;– though it may be&nbsp;the last thing you feel like doing&nbsp;at the time!,” the article reads. “The release of oxytocin&nbsp;can make contractions&nbsp;progress faster during labour,&nbsp;whilst&nbsp;also promoting&nbsp;bonding with your newborn as it triggers nurturing behaviour.”<o:p></o:p>

The motive behind this post and article is to get rid of the associated stigmas around masturbation. “In the past,&nbsp;masturbation&nbsp;has&nbsp;sometimes&nbsp;incorrectly been&nbsp;thought to be just for men,&nbsp;and&nbsp;blamed&nbsp;for causing&nbsp;health issues,&nbsp;perversions, reduced sexual function, infertility and more—none of which are true,” the article reads. “It’s important to remember there is nothing shameful about having a relationship with your own body.&nbsp;No body part you have is “wrong”, and nothing your body does is&nbsp;abnormal.”<o:p></o:p>

Experts from Queensland Health want to break the taboo and hush-hush culture around self-pleasure and have decided to use their social media accounts for this purpose.

Experts from Queensland Health want to break the taboo and hush-hush culture around self-pleasure and have decided to use their social media accounts for this purpose. In a Facebook post, the institute decided to give some advice to their followers about how masturbation can be useful for one’s health. Loaded with multi-coloured infographics, the post began with a pun-based statement saying, "Give yourself a hand". × The department is hoping to raise awareness about the topic and put an end to taboo related to it. The experts want to tell people that this process is a normal and healthy part of a person’s sexual experience. Experts also stated that it is a healthy way to learn more about one’s body, regardless of their relationship status, age and gender. “Masturbation is a normal and healthy part of a person’s sexual experience and a great way to discover what you are comfortable with. The best part is, it’s for everyone – and also offers a wealth of health and sexual health benefits!,” the post read. “It’s important for us all to work towards normalising sex-positive messages about masturbation to reduce associated feelings of shame and fear, and improve overall sexual health and literacy.” The department added a link to a detailed article which lists several health benefits of masturbation such as it releases endorphins that help in mental wellbeing. The article adds that masturbation releases endorphins which help relieve stress and bring a feeling of calmness and happiness in a human being. “Some specialists recommend masturbation during labour – though it may be the last thing you feel like doing at the time!,” the article reads. “The release of oxytocin can make contractions progress faster during labour, whilst also promoting bonding with your newborn as it triggers nurturing behaviour.” The motive behind this post and article is to get rid of the associated stigmas around masturbation. “In the past, masturbation has sometimes incorrectly been thought to be just for men, and blamed for causing health issues, perversions, reduced sexual function, infertility and more—none of which are true,” the article reads. “It’s important to remember there is nothing shameful about having a relationship with your own body. No body part you have is “wrong”, and nothing your body does is abnormal.”

'Give yourself a hand': Queensland Health aims to break taboos around masturbation

The new Bollywood film Padman, starring Akshay Kumar, is the story of how India&rsquo;s &ldquo;menstrual man&rdquo; Arunachalam Muruganantham came up with a revolutionary new method of producing cost effective sanitary pads. This helped to improve menstrual health and provide an income for rural women in India and beyond.

India is the leading film market in the world, with 2.2 billion tickets sold in 2016. One of the aims of this new comedy-drama is to reach a wide audience, create awareness and challenge the taboos and stigma surrounding menstruation in India.

<figure class="align-right "><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/203391/original/file-20180125-107956-s3qbur.PNG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=237&amp;fit=clip" />
<figcaption>
Arunachalam Muruganantham. <a class="source" href="https://www.facebook.com/amurugaofficial/photos/a.915980068509137.1073741829.915371268570017/1545804272193377/?type=3&amp;theater">Facebook</a>

It&rsquo;s been more than ten years since Arunachalam invented a machine to create low cost sanitary pads and began distributing them to rural women across India. Traditionally, rural women use old cloth, saris or bed sheets as sanitary towels; sometimes also using sand, dirt or ash for heavy days. The use of pads is increasing and now six out of ten women in India have access to disposable menstrual products.

This varies greatly across states &ndash; from as high as 90% in Tamilnadu, Kerala and Delhi to as low as 30% in rural Bihar. But disposable pads are expensive and the biodegradable pads made by Arunachalam are cheaper and last longer.

Many non-governmental organisations around the globe, such as Days for Girls, focus on the need for hygienic menstrual products and make and distribute reusable pads. The argument is that the provision of pads enables girls to stay in school. One in four girls in India miss one day or more in school during menstruation.
</figcaption>
</figure>

Wider issues

But access to pads is only one issue. Girls might also miss school because of period pain, lack of toilet facilities, the fear of staining clothes or the views of teachers and family &ndash; last year, students were allegedly forced to strip in a school to see who was menstruating. This is not just an issue for India: <a href="http://blogs.worldbank.org/education/globally-periods-are-causing-girls-be-absent-school">one in ten</a> girls in some parts of sub-Saharan Africa miss school because of their periods and even in the UK period poverty causes similar issues.

<figure><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="260" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RKkyqBj_rQE?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440"></iframe></figure>

&nbsp;

The wider issue that Padman highlights is the stigma and taboos that surround menstruation. In India, restrictions include not being allowed to enter religious shrines, touch people or food in the kitchen, or touch or eat pickles. Taboos around periods exist in almost every country in the world, meaning many women and girls face discrimination. Global stigmas and practices include:

Nepal: Chaupadi is a social tradition associated with the menstrual taboo in western Nepal which forces women and girls to sleep outside their house, often in a cowshed, while they have their period. Chaupadi was banned in 2005 and made a criminal offence in 2017, but one young woman has already died in January 2018 because of it.

Japan: Women cannot be sushi chefs as menstruation affects their sense of taste. But women are fighting back and opening their own restaurants.

Afghanistan: Women are told washing or showering during their periods can lead to infertility.

Bolivia: Women are told putting used sanitary pads in the bin with other rubbish can lead to cancer.

US: 42% of women have experienced period shaming, 58% felt embarrassed and 73% hide pads and tampons from view.

UK: 26% of girls did not know what to do when they first started their period and 48% are embarrassed by their period.

<figure class="align-center "><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/203188/original/file-20180124-72618-12ytfyf.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" />
<figcaption>Padman. <a class="source" href="http://www.picselect.com/preview.jsp?application=3&amp;id=17466765&amp;section=">Picselect</a></figcaption>
</figure>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

It&rsquo;s interesting to note that the first major film to tackle this issue focuses on a male entrepreneur. Yet there are many other organisations and inspirational individuals, usually women, working to challenge the stigma around periods. For example in India, there is Aditi Gupta, founder of the menstrupedia comic, which aims to educate children about menstruation. Writer and peace campaigner Radha Paudel is also challenging chaupadi in Nepal.

Education is key to changing attitudes to menstruation and in order to do this we need to engage men and boys. Perhaps male hero Padman is a first step.

Being able to manage menstruation safely and without stigma is a basic human right which many women and girls are denied. The silence and stigma around menstruation cannot be replaced by a new form of sanitary pad; it can however be challenged by discussion and awareness and Padman can perhaps play an important role in starting the conversation.

&nbsp;

This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" rel="nofollow" target="blank">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/padman-how-bollywood-is-challenging-the-stigma-around-periods-in-india-90278" rel="nofollow" target="blank">original article</a>.

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;&nbsp;

The silence and stigma around menstruation cannot be replaced by a new form of sanitary pad; it can, however, be challenged by discussion and awareness and Padman can perhaps play an important role in starting the conversation.

The new Bollywood film Padman, starring Akshay Kumar, is the story of how India’s “menstrual man” Arunachalam Muruganantham came up with a revolutionary new method of producing cost effective sanitary pads. This helped to improve menstrual health and provide an income for rural women in India and beyond. India is the leading film market in the world, with 2.2 billion tickets sold in 2016. One of the aims of this new comedy-drama is to reach a wide audience, create awareness and challenge the taboos and stigma surrounding menstruation in India. Arunachalam Muruganantham. Facebook It’s been more than ten years since Arunachalam invented a machine to create low cost sanitary pads and began distributing them to rural women across India. Traditionally, rural women use old cloth, saris or bed sheets as sanitary towels; sometimes also using sand, dirt or ash for heavy days. The use of pads is increasing and now six out of ten women in India have access to disposable menstrual products. This varies greatly across states – from as high as 90% in Tamilnadu, Kerala and Delhi to as low as 30% in rural Bihar. But disposable pads are expensive and the biodegradable pads made by Arunachalam are cheaper and last longer. Many non-governmental organisations around the globe, such as Days for Girls, focus on the need for hygienic menstrual products and make and distribute reusable pads. The argument is that the provision of pads enables girls to stay in school. One in four girls in India miss one day or more in school during menstruation. Wider issues But access to pads is only one issue. Girls might also miss school because of period pain, lack of toilet facilities, the fear of staining clothes or the views of teachers and family – last year, students were allegedly forced to strip in a school to see who was menstruating. This is not just an issue for India: one in ten girls in some parts of sub-Saharan Africa miss school because of their periods and even in the UK period poverty causes similar issues. The wider issue that Padman highlights is the stigma and taboos that surround menstruation. In India, restrictions include not being allowed to enter religious shrines, touch people or food in the kitchen, or touch or eat pickles. Taboos around periods exist in almost every country in the world, meaning many women and girls face discrimination. Global stigmas and practices include: Nepal: Chaupadi is a social tradition associated with the menstrual taboo in western Nepal which forces women and girls to sleep outside their house, often in a cowshed, while they have their period. Chaupadi was banned in 2005 and made a criminal offence in 2017, but one young woman has already died in January 2018 because of it. Japan: Women cannot be sushi chefs as menstruation affects their sense of taste. But women are fighting back and opening their own restaurants. Afghanistan: Women are told washing or showering during their periods can lead to infertility. Bolivia: Women are told putting used sanitary pads in the bin with other rubbish can lead to cancer. US: 42% of women have experienced period shaming, 58% felt embarrassed and 73% hide pads and tampons from view. UK: 26% of girls did not know what to do when they first started their period and 48% are embarrassed by their period. Padman. Picselect It’s interesting to note that the first major film to tackle this issue focuses on a male entrepreneur. Yet there are many other organisations and inspirational individuals, usually women, working to challenge the stigma around periods. For example in India, there is Aditi Gupta, founder of the menstrupedia comic, which aims to educate children about menstruation. Writer and peace campaigner Radha Paudel is also challenging chaupadi in Nepal. Education is key to changing attitudes to menstruation and in order to do this we need to engage men and boys. Perhaps male hero Padman is a first step. Being able to manage menstruation safely and without stigma is a basic human right which many women and girls are denied. The silence and stigma around menstruation cannot be replaced by a new form of sanitary pad; it can however be challenged by discussion and awareness and Padman can perhaps play an important role in starting the conversation. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Padman shows Bollywood is challenging the stigma around periods in India

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