Do Women Need To Bleed Free To Protest Against Menstrual Prejudices?

To protest against menstrual prejudices, there has been women who had decided to bleed free in the recent past. But is it okay to bleed free in public?

So, a few days ago the internet was splashed red with the “free bleeding” pictures of a girl running a marathon and the message that was supposed to be behind the sudden red overload was, to fight against the prejudices and social practices that are followed in a lot of countries in terms of the menstrual cycle of a woman.

Now, the message was loud (too loud I think ) and the intent behind the act was backed by some sound reasons, only, I believe the act in itself was not thought through.

Hmm.

Looking at these two protests and being a paranoid person, now I am scared that I would suddenly come across some random person or a known one (and that would be simply horrifying) either free bleeding or in a similar mode of protest.

My paranoid brain refuses to rest and I keep getting some wild thoughts now. Like, what if someone decides to protest against the high costs of toilet paper rolls and demonstrates a “free pooping” protest? Gross ! Or what if someone decides to protest against the intolerance of our society in terms of letting men and women be close to each other without tying them up in the bond of marriage and start copulating in the public?  That would be so scary!

Now, all these issues raised should be raised. They should be protested against. People need to show their solidarity in fighting against a lot of social stigmas attached to the menstrual cycle or the freedom of choice of a relationship between a man and a woman or the listing of an item such as a tampon listed under luxury item thus making it difficult for women to access it.There is not an iota of doubt in calling these issues problems that should be dealt with immediately. But, to all the ladies out there who think not supporting the “free bleeding” stand is standing against women, lady, if you try and show me your menstrual trickle and expect me to hug you and pat your shoulder, you are mistaken because I would run either from you – in case you have a tampon or a pad but are refusing to wear it or run for you – to buy one and give it to you.

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Every issue needs attention. Menstruation is a normal natural process that every woman goes through. She does not become untouchable during that time or dirty and she is certainly not sick when she menstruates but instead of creating awareness regarding the same and working on it, a day’s free bleeding would help no one except the soap detergent companies you would later be using to wash your clothes with.

There is a rising trend these days where a lot of women suddenly group together and do something that immediately catches one’s attention and start calling the action a feministic act and then, my dear, either you are a feminist or you are with the “others” (here, the others mostly refers to men). And trust me, being with the “others” is not at all cool as far as the social media is concerned.

I believe in fighting against whatever is not just. I need not associate myself with the “free bleeding” supporters to prove my loyalty toward my own sex.

Let’s instead of free bleeding, start propagating free thinking because spreading a right thought can make a stronger difference as compared to a wrong action that would fizzle out like yesteryear’s fashion.

Cover image via Shutterstock

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