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 Bleed for all women, please
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Posted on 08-12-11 10:10 AM     Reply [Subscribe]
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www.parakhi.com/blogs

Bleed for all women, please.


 


 

Photography seems to be booming in Kathmandu – everywhere I turn, there is either a photo exhibition or a workshop happening. This artistic boom in the city is a great balance for all of the political activity and so, when I can, I try to see what is being digitally captured then printed onto to paper in ink.

 

Most recently, I visited the exhibition titled “School Sanitation: The neglected development link.” As much as I love photography in its various forms, this exhibition organized by Wateraid got me thinking about photography for a cause (or with a cause even).

 

With submissions by photographers Rajesh Gurung, Shruti Shrestha, Rocky Prajapati, Kabita Thapa and Bijay Gajmer, the floor of Nepal Arts Council, Babarmahal, was filled with pictures of toilets and school children.

 

As the saying goes, “A picture is worth a thousand words,” but each photograph had a little caption expanding on what was not apparent in the photo and on occasion, the captions even raised pointed questions.

 

Nepal is dirty. We know this. The toilets here are disgusting. We’ve smelled it. But besides crinkling my nose walking by walls men have relieved themselves on, or even holding my breath when having to use a public toilet, I don’t usually spend much time thinking about porcelain potties or holes in the ground.

 

The photo exhibition brought to light the issue of toilets in our education system. Some schools only had one for hundreds of children, others had many but most were not functional (either due to massive holes in doors, or due to lack of water), but the issue that caught my attention the most was regarding the lack of facilities for girls – something as simple as a dustbin to dispose of sanitary pads.

 

Which got me thinking, this is something I’ve totally experienced. As a modern, educated woman, I’m rather open to talking about my monthly flow. My boyfriend is well versed on how to handle me with care, my family knows to stock up on chocolate, and my sister knows that I’m in pain. Lots and lots of pain. Having experienced Mother Nature’s gift (EVERY MONTH) for most than half my life, I can say, there are times where it still makes me massively uncomfortable.

 

Though I’m open to informing coworkers that I have cramps and should not be bothered, how open I am or not makes no difference when in poorly facilitated toilets without a dust bin to dispose of my used female products.  Forget hoping for some toilet paper, soap, or even water.

 

For me, a working woman of the 21st century, this is a difficulty that I have had to face and no doubt will continue to encounter. For the thousands of girls across the country, schools might finally be providing toilets, but that does little to break the taboo of periods. If I am still embarrassed about leaving bloodied pads (wrapped as well as possible) on the floor for some poor cleaning person to pick up and dispose off for me, whispering genuine apologies into the stinky air of public toilets does nothing.

 

For all the girls who have to miss schools for days on end without offering excuses that they aren’t asked for, I understand. I also understand the doubled pain in having to skip out on recess or playtime due to cramps.

 

Toilets aren’t the answer, this much is clear. What we women need is consideration. A restaurant won’t face any loss for shelling out a few hundred rupees for a bin. The public will be happy about more hygienic restrooms, and yes, this will also decrease the stank our noses are subjected to.

 

Thanks to this exhibition, there are now pictures of girls stuffing pads into the cracks of a wall displaying the issues, but pictures aren’t enough either.

 

When are we all going to start talking about it?

 

Saani has no real goals and aspirations but she sees opportunity in everything and goes with the flow. This is probably because she loves exploring and discovering. She writes for fun but for the same reason she also cooks, reads, and spends a lot of time on random websites that offer a chance to learn all sorts of tid-bits on life!

 
www.parakhi.com/blogs
 



 
Posted on 08-12-11 11:23 AM     [Snapshot: 155]     Reply [Subscribe]
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Damn! it's bleeding.
 
Posted on 08-12-11 11:27 AM     [Snapshot: 126]     Reply [Subscribe]
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अपेरेन्टली ईट सीम्स लाइक यु फर्गट टु वेर योर ट्याम्पन  अन दिस अकेजन , गर्ल यु ब्लिडेड अल ओभर द प्लेस !!
 


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