Periods & Pimples - This is why I'm skipping classes
By PARUL YADAV
I am tired. I am sick. I am irritated. I don't want to get off the bed.
It's 9.26; my roommate has already left for her classes. The entire floor is barren. Locks on every door. I am feeling the silence when a few moments later, my phone vibrates. Why is no one in class?
Ma'am, I'm sick.
Ma'am, I'm not on campus. Blah blah, the messages follow.
I have no excuses to give. I am sick, but I am not on medication, and I cannot produce a medical certificate either.
It is that time of month, you see. Periods. I'm in hell.
I was very happy when, in January, the Kerala government announced menstrual leave for female students studying in all state universities coming under theDepartment of Higher Education .
"Taking into consideration the mental and physical difficulties faced by female students duringmenstruation , necessary steps will be taken to implement menstrual leave in all universities," Higher Education Minister R Bindu had said in a Facebook post.
This landmark decision came after the student union at theCochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) demanded menstrual leave. The varsity, on January 11, sanctioned an additional two percent condonation of shortage of attendance to female students, in each semester.
The decision was hailed by most and called progressive. Several other universities in the country followed the suit.
Menstrual days are difficult and can be extremely painful for many girls and women and can even hamper their work performance. Over 40% women with periods report missing their school or work because of this.
More than 50% women in India have irregular periods, according to TheMaya Health Survey . The report also states that 68% women have severe period-related symptoms such as cramps, bloating, diarrhea, and acne - which can (seriously) dampen a young girl's confidence.
One of my good friends refuses to step out of her room because of pimples. Another one keeps galloping down colas and chocolates. I, the most dramatic, cry for no reason and want to be just left alone.
And: we skip classes. We delay assignments.
Periods are natural, we are told. Yet, here I am, thinking of an excuse to give to my teachers. How do I explain my absence, my zoned-out brain? And how do I say this to a male professor? Sir, I'm on periods. I can't come.
It is so sad that my university has a progressive approach to most things but fails when it comes to this. 21st century and we girls still have to ask for permission to sleep more, take a day off, and put our mental and physical health first. I wish I lived in Kerala.
Or I wish this brings a change.
I am tired. I am sick. I am irritated. I don't want to get off the bed.
It's 9.26; my roommate has already left for her classes. The entire floor is barren. Locks on every door. I am feeling the silence when a few moments later, my phone vibrates. Why is no one in class?
Ma'am, I'm sick.
Ma'am, I'm not on campus. Blah blah, the messages follow.
I have no excuses to give. I am sick, but I am not on medication, and I cannot produce a medical certificate either.
It is that time of month, you see. Periods. I'm in hell.
I was very happy when, in January, the Kerala government announced menstrual leave for female students studying in all state universities coming under the
"Taking into consideration the mental and physical difficulties faced by female students during
This landmark decision came after the student union at the
The decision was hailed by most and called progressive. Several other universities in the country followed the suit.
Menstrual days are difficult and can be extremely painful for many girls and women and can even hamper their work performance. Over 40% women with periods report missing their school or work because of this.
More than 50% women in India have irregular periods, according to The
One of my good friends refuses to step out of her room because of pimples. Another one keeps galloping down colas and chocolates. I, the most dramatic, cry for no reason and want to be just left alone.
And: we skip classes. We delay assignments.
Periods are natural, we are told. Yet, here I am, thinking of an excuse to give to my teachers. How do I explain my absence, my zoned-out brain? And how do I say this to a male professor? Sir, I'm on periods. I can't come.
It is so sad that my university has a progressive approach to most things but fails when it comes to this. 21st century and we girls still have to ask for permission to sleep more, take a day off, and put our mental and physical health first. I wish I lived in Kerala.
Or I wish this brings a change.
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