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In her series, Blood Speaks, Poulomi Basu highlights the illegal exile of menstruating women in South
Asia.
The series revolves around an ancient tradition,
Chhaupadi, once practised in parts of Nepal and India.
A cultural taboo that sees women exiled once a month to
mud huts or livestock sheds as they menstruate.
Weaving between villages in rural Nepal and India, Basu
documented the often stifling conditions that women faced
during their period, offering glimpses into the complex
patriarchal web many are caught in.
This a centuries-old custom, born from Hindu tradition and
superstition, often tied to the story of the ex*****on of the
guru Vishvarupa by the king of gods, Indra. Cursed, Indra
sought to alleviate the sin by distributing it among four
elements: the rivers, the trees, the land and, finally, women. The story goes that the blood that came once a month during the menstrual cycle became the release of
his error - deeming the woman untouchable and any
contact by others impure.
"When I was growing up I wasn't allowed to get into
festivities or enter certain spaces during my period," Basu
told VICE. "So I was utterly aware of the milder versions of
this form of violence and the normalisation of misogyny.
But not to such an extreme form where women are treated
worse than animals and where women get r***d and murdered and sometimes die as well

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Here’s a beautiful poem penned down expressing her first experience of periods.

When I had my First periods,
I got really scared.
I thought maybe I had cancer
And was soon going to die.

Rushed to mumma,
I hugged her tight
I asked her multiple questions
She kept answering all night

She told me never be ashamed
For this is what God has planned
Men will mock you for your stains
For they will never understand your pain

I still remember the story she told
How double standards our society holds
Worshiping kamakhya devi because she bleeds
& not allowing bleeding women to worship

In name of religion and traditions
Society will hurt you daily by its actions
You will be told not to sit here
Maybe sometimes not to eat there

As cramps and moodswings hit me
I was very upset that why me?
Mumma told me because girls are special
Daddy told me, its not a lie.. Its for real

Feeling shy, I thought what Papa would think
Relax beta, Its only the blood
Come and See what I got ya! Bhai said
As he had A box full of cupcakes freshly baked

Men fight, cause death, misrey and bleed
Women bleed, brings life, happiness & fight
Mumma taught me there is nothing to be scared of
Daddy taught me this is something you should be proud of

Never be ashamed of why you bleed
Never be ashamed of dark red blood
Its natural, you can speak about it publically
To keep life going, is why you bleed monthly

Self explanatory!

🩸 🎉 HAPPY WORLD MENSTRUAL HYGIENE DAY🎉🩸
Today is a very special day in period space. Let’s celebrate it by helping the ones in need ♥️
So, today on (with the help of collected funds ) decided to reach out to area in ahmedbad and distribute sanitary napkin to the women while raising awareness about absolute safety measures and benefits of using these sanitary napkins, hoping to provide these women a better hygiene.

“I found myself with a blood-soaked white skirt and my classmates asking me if I was okay. I was so embarrassed that I told everyone it was orange juice.” Says Adrita on being asked how was it when she first got her periods.
Let’s share our period stories out and loud with rather than in a closed room with a few friends. There’s nothing to hide about it.
Read how Adrita chose a rebellious approach to break the taboo.
There’s so much a woman has to go through when on her periods. Society , even family makes her feel so low of her self when she’s menstruating. When will things change ?

🔴FUND RAISING ALERT ❗
We are accepting kind donations for 28th May 2022 which is world menstrual hygiene day.
It’s been a year and you guys have been our support system. Let’s take it forward to the second menstrual hygiene day that red dot will be celebrating.
Thankyou tons and tons Red Dot fam 🔴 ♥️

Let’s know how was it for to deal with periods in her initial stage of getting em.
Was she educated about it? Did she follow the taboos ? What’s menstruation for her ? Dive right into it to know everything.
Don’t forget to DM us if you want to share your period story with the world and break the taboo cycle

Let’s know how was it for to deal with periods in her initial stage of getting em.
Was she educated about it? Did she follow the taboos ? What’s menstruation for her ? Dive right into it to know everything.
Don’t forget to DM us if you want to share your period story with the world and break the taboo cycle

Let's stop the cycle stigma. Period.
We’ve all got one.
If you're someone who refused to follow the period taboos that must have been going on for years at your place but you broke the shackles instead, dm us.
We would love to hear your brave story. we know it must not have been easy for you.