Shikoh Zaidi's Commendable Initiative To Break The Stigma Around Menstruation

In India, taboos are easily created around things that should be considered natural and menstruation is one of the biggest stigmas in our country. The mindsets might be altering but, there are still a large number of people who feel that a woman must not be allowed to enter the kitchen or so if she is on her period. And to break these stereotypes, 16-year-old Shikoh Zaidi is making people aware of menstrual hygiene. Shikoh belongs from Kuwarpur Baghel village in Hardoi, UP. While growing up she observed the women of her village being treated differently whenever they menstruated and that was enough for her to take a step ahead and work on it. Parental support can take you to any heights and Shikoh’s father was very supportive of her when he learned about why she wanted to generate the awareness. However, her mother was hesitant but she gave a nod later. Then came the time for convincing the villagers which was not easy at all. But she even surpassed this hurdle. While talking to Hindustan Times, she said: “There were different responses to my call. Many were shocked at what I was talking about while some offered deaf ears,” she said, adding, “Still I managed to convince several girls and women while my father arranged a projector to show three educational videos to them.” The villagers now abide with what Shikoh has to say regarding menstrual hygiene. And the women, as well as the girls of Kuwarpur Baghel village, don’t consider themselves impure anymore due to periods. The teenager directly went up to the village houses to talk about menstruation and it takes a lot for a girl of her age to do something like that. The taboo can be eradicated completely if more people come forward to discuss it because menstruation is a natural cycle.