Periods - Pride of Women hood

"Honey, get ready. Have breakfast and " cutting my words my daughter came in school uniform and hugged me from back. Smiling for her punctuality i turned and  gave a kiss on her forehead. While she ate her breakfast, i arranged lunch box for her and my husband. He is working in a bank. Honey completed breakfast and sat to read newspaper. While I wanted to move to dressing room, honeys bus arrived. "Honey don't forget to take dry fruits box..." i came to living room as she usually neglect it. And it happens again. So its my turn to keep her reminded and gave box to her and waved good bye for her. Working women life always went in hurry but at the end it is the essence. I work at a multinational company, the job for which i dedicated myself. Everyone is aware that in  this era both the partners should work to give their children best education and their parents best medical care. I choose not to quit job after my marriage not only to give financial support but also for my self satisfaction. Bringing me out from my thoughts i started to my workplace an another world of mine. Best part is my husband drops me everyday before going to bank and he used to talk to me like we were lovers again. It makes me feel rejuvenated. I entered into my cabin and started my work. Suddenly i felt strong pain in my lower abdomen. I turned to see calender and cursed myself for not keeping track on my periods. I should be prepared with at least a pad in my hand bag. I checked handbag with hope it must carry pads. For god sake it is here. Quickly thanking almighty and warning myself not to repeat, i rushed to washroom. Rest of my day went as a snail. I cant move fast or stay still. I need to complete report. Today is different from rest of my period days. My back aching like hell. May be i am not taking care of my body ,maybe i am neglecting myself  that why i had such a worse day. Now i have two signs, one i forgot  my date and two i am not taking healthy food. Closing my eyes leaning over my chair, i reminded words of my grandmother "Womens body is mirror to her activities." I took day off and reached home at least to give some rest as my body demands. 

I felt relaxed and better now. Waking up i saw time, it is almost evening. "Mom...." honey came and knocking the door. I went to open it. She came jumping into my arms with pride of first rank she got in half-yearly exams. I congratulated her and promised to prepare her favourite gulab jamun. Honey went to fresh up and i occupied myself in cooking. Honey came immediately with worry " Mom, something happened to me. I didn't play today, i didn't fell anywhere. I don't have any wounds too. Still my panty is soaked in blood. Mom, whats wrong with me..." while saying she is crying with fear. I came too know the reason. Once again i felt i failed to say about menstruation before her first period. It is sudden surprise to me as i planned to tell on her birthday and honey's 13th birthday is in coming week. Anyhow its never late. I took deep breath and hugged my little princess. Wiping her tears, i gave water to her " Honey, their is nothing wrong with you. You got your first period. No need to panic as i too got periods. Not only us, every women will get periods. It is quite normal to us to  bleed every month". With my words she felt relaxed but still she has fear. With eyes wide open honey asked me "Mom, every month ?!". I assured her with my smile "Yes honey, and getting periods every month regularly is benchmark for your healthy body. Evey month we will be bleeding for 4-5 days. Its sign of women hood." 

Honey interrupted me with her question "Mom, then how to go school?" .

" Honey, you can go to school. We should manage our periods, maintain our body health and hygiene. As a girl we should respect our body and treat women hood with pride.  Come i will tell you. First get fresh" i took her to washroom. After listening to my story honey felt happy that she got her first period. 

But i lost in thoughts, I realized  my  body requirement on my periods and decided to eat healthy food  that supplement iron. What about every women?! I had chance to console her during my daughter's first period panic. What about every adolescent girl?!.

Inspired from the tales of every household, answering the questions of every responsible women...SWECHA took its birth. SWASA initiated an awareness program on menstrual hygiene- SWECHA.


Penned by Dasu Rama Sri Vineela...