A mark of femininity and fertility, as well as being a momentous event in every women’s life, menstruation is one of the most natural functions in the world. However, women are frequently made to feel ashamed of embarrassed simply because the bleed. Through-out history, women have been exposed to a culture of period shaming.

Period

Denim, kotex pads, kotex tampons, embroidery floss.

Various dimensions

2018

Both are obviously vital for society to continue but today at least in the U.S. most women are taught to feel shame about it. There has been a correlation between the rise of class society and capitalism with the creation of women as second-class citizens, and that the menstrual shame has come out of this. There are many factors and dynamics to this which I am currently trying to read and learn about, but a piece of it that I think has to do in a way with the way that menstruation has in other societies been associated with extreme power and capability. In old Roma societies there was a myth that if a menstruating woman passed you on the street and raised her skirt up to show you her ankle, that you could be cursed. Then you have the Bible and the Old Testament which both refer to menstruating women as “unclean.” So in a way I think there is a contradiction between the power and life-force in menstruation and the need to devalue the female sex, and so one of the ways this is solved is through making women feel bad about their own bodies” (Divacup Democracy: The Saga of Bloody Trump). This culture of shame is sexist and used as a tool to subordinate and devalue women, associating periods with weakness and irrationality.

As a starting point in this series with my materials, the use of embroidery stemmed from my interests in women's identity and gender roles, and more specifically the stereotypical depictions of women in a domestic environment. The decision to use thread and feminine hygiene products reinforce the message that sexism and misogyny are still present in society today. There is the stigma that women need to be quiet about their periods. Period shaming limits open conversations around menstruation and positive action to combat related social, health and environmental impacts. Period, vagina and tampon are not shameful, dirty words. However, a patriarchal society has created a culture that squirms at them. We need to challenge this to empower women and support positive and safe experiences for them.

Through my research, I have not found a male artist who creates work against period shaming.  However, we currently have a President who has called women bitches and hot pieces of ass. Who has “joked” about sexually assaulting us and shamed us for our normal bodily functions. Now, more than ever, it’s crucial that women and girls learn the importance of bodily autonomy and pride, not shame, in their bodies.