"My country's problem with menstruation" (Anisha Bhavnani) [View all]

Excerpt:

"In my friend's family, when women have their period, they don't enter the kitchen. They're not allowed to cook. I know a family who doesn't allow their maid to enter their house when it's her time of the month. Recently, my aunt wanted me to attend a neighbor's pooja -- a type of Hindu prayer ritual -- but the instant I told her I had my period, she asked me not to come. She told me that it's disrespectful. I was shocked.

"I hate this belief. I hate that women mindlessly follow it and men advocate it. Women are considered sick, impure and even untouchable when they're having their period. So, God obviously hates me when I'm on my period because I can't hang out with him in a temple. Food hates me, too, because I can't enter the kitchen to spread butter on bread. I guess some people also hate me, because I can't enter their house.

"Women of India: The next time someone asks you not to go to temple or cook pasta when your red friend is visiting, ask them to take a hike. Ask them why they believe in such archaic customs."

Complete article at:
http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/06/living/india-menstruation-irpt/index.html