This is the translated review for the movie First Period – An MHM Story, a Hindi short film made by the Dasra India and MHM Alliance, and shown on day 4 (29 May 2020) in the Menstrual Movie Mela.
POLITICAL VIEWS PUT FORTH BY MEN’S MENSTRUATION
Have you ever thought how it would be if men had periods? We would definitely not see the myths or inhumane practices associated with menstruation. We would see people being proud of bleeding and not having to keep it a secret. Thus, the movie “First Period” is also providing us with a different narrative of periods experience.
The film talks about the complete upturn of social narratives if men menstruated. This can be seen parallel with Gloria Steinem’s hilarious essay “If men could menstruate”.
The story here happens in a uropian man’s world, with no females. The story talks about the first menstrual experience of Ayush, a high school student. All the men in the house, his dad, uncle and grandfather are very supportive of him. His uncle takes him to a shop to buy good quality disposable pads. At school his friends and teacher too are supportive in sharing their own first period experiences and guide him. Even though Ayush was initially scared, the normal attitude of those around him, at home and outside, gives him confidence and makes him feel good about his periods. The film ends with a question, what if it was a girl instead of Ayush.
The climax if this is extremely thought provoking. Had this been a girl, neither home nor society would have given her so much of support. Neither home nor school would have encouraged so much open or meaningful discussions. His teacher even demonstrates topics such as pad disposal very clearly, among other information. But what do we see in the case of girls? The scenario is bleak. Clean toilets with washing facilities and good functioning napkin destroyers are rare in both schools and other public spaces. Many people also don’t receive proper education on how to use the napkin burners.
Ayush had got good quality bio-degradable pads from the small shop near his house. It is a fact that such good quality pads are still expensive and unavailable in our shops now. Though available online, these are very expensiveexpensive, and hence not accessible for most women/girls. If men menstruated, there would definitely be more research to make these available in every small shop at affordable rates.
Gloria Steinem’s article too states that had men menstruated, it would be a privilege and be a proud symbol of manhood. Menstrual health would be discussed more and more investment would be allotted to study it and address it. Menstrual hygiene products would be given to all for free. Menstruation would put a man at the prominent centre of every social event, and be celebrated. Her essay speaks more about the positives on menstruation that could have happened, had men menstruated.
This cannot be brushed aside as funny. For example, let us take the menstrual seclusion associated with religious institutions. Menstruation restricts a woman’s entry to temples, but a man may enter anytime. If this is not inequality then what do we call it? If men menstruated do you think we would have such a scenario? This movie that can spark off many debates and make us think deep, is a clear representation of the gender inequality etched into our lives due to menstruation.
The original review in Malayalam can be found here. It has been written and posted on her own blog by Ms. Chaithanya, a budding feminist and gender trainer from Kerala. She is currently pursuing Master’s degree in Gender Studies, from Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development, Chennai.
When I Decided..... 