An interesting way to tackle all that menstruation stigma!

Tatastu, a two-day college event at Parvatibai Chowgule College of Arts & Science, kicked off with a Mr and Miss Tatastu contest, where the contestants had to perform all sorts stunts and tasks to win the title. One of the more interesting tasks focussed on one of the biggest social debates in the country right now – menstruation. In order to get rid off the stigma associated with the topic, and to spread awareness about menstrual hygiene, the male constestants were asked to sell

sanitary napkins

to students participating in the contest, and the ones who sold the highest number would win the round!
Gautam Naik, one of the contestants, told us, “I sold some

pads

to the boys by telling them things like that they have quick absorbing qualities. I didn’t have to explain that much to girls.”
“This was the first time I’d even held a pad in my hands,” said Anthony Mascarenhas, final year PCCE college, Nuvem, adding, “And there was nothing weird about it. I don’t know why people make such a big deal out of it.” He continued, “It wasn’t tough selling it to most of the students, though some gave me weird looks. I wish everyone realised that menstruation and pads are normal, and not some taboo topic.”
“Through this task, we wanted to sensitize college kids towards the topic of periods, and explain that it is natural. A pad can be purchased by anyone. If you go to the store or pharmacy, all the medication is sold without being wrapped in papers or bags. So, why is a sanitary napkin sold that way? Why can’t mothers, sisters, or girlfriends talk to the men in their life about it? This isn’t something to be embarrassed about,” said Sandeep Jadhav, general secretary, Chowgule College, Margao, when asked why the chose this task for the competition, while Sejal Shetty, event coordinator, added, “For the title Mr Tatastu, we wanted someone who was out-of-the-box and creative, besides being different from the rest. We had thought that many guys would protest against buying or selling pads in the open, but were shocked by how upbeat and sporting they were.”