‘It’s a secret of every girl that the world is aware of, yet nobody talks it.’ A sanitary pad wrapped safely within a newspaper says it all. Hiding underneath refers to something embarrassing, it’s a whisper that only a closer or intended one can hear in order to share a secret.

The grave issue, however, is following a trend of ‘secret’ itself, implying that the thing hidden underneath is shameful. Regardless, it’s just a healthy biological process that half of the population undergo on a regular basis which actually is a pivotal sign that your body is working well.

Nevertheless, there always have been quite a lot embarrassment, awkwardness and humiliation regarding this normal body function.

Generally, impurity is another name for the monthly cycle of women. They are barred from any normal activities considering their high regard towards traditional values as well as beliefs which however lack scientific logic.

Instead of randomly following old principles, had proper education regarding ‘importance of hygiene’ and puberty been prioritized, no young lives would have gone in vain.

Although Nepal’s Supreme Court banned this dreadful custom a few years earlier, it does not seem to come any nearer to an end. A lot of gross myths and superstitions overcome the law of nation. Generally, in big towns it appears fine on surface, a girl is sent to a school where she is considered equal to the boys.

She learns the subtle natural phenomenon of periods, there she is taught the necessity of cleanliness and threatening impacts if hygiene is ignored. Still, during her period she is compelled to follow the system which prohibits maintaining regular lifestyle. Ultimately a superstitious rule is set in her mind disarraying scientific reasons she learned.

Apparently, a period is a sign of a healthy body, a body that is capable of making life though many cultures tend to focus upon the so-called ‘unholiness’ as though the natural system of fertility is flawed.

All the same, the education system alone cannot bring about the positive change in the attitude towards periods. Home is always the first place to start with, it waters the seed first, it decides which way to turn for the roots. It’s strange how for a few days a menstruating woman becomes more obnoxious than a terrible criminal.

Nonetheless, there are many women who are consistently trying to break through this taboo with a hope that every girl and woman manages their period with dignity.